You may have reached a time in life where you can spend money on what you want or maybe what you need. This may be because your children are grown or you may have just gotten a raise in a successful career. No matter the reason, it’s up to you to decide what needs the most attention.
Often adults put off doing things for themselves and especially for their appearance for a host of reasons. Many parents will provide braces for their children while never having had the advantage for themselves. If you were to consider braces as an adult, how would you know for sure that you need them?
Symptoms That Lead To Braces
There are reasons to get braces that may eventually lead to issues with your oral health. These may have been noticed by your dentist, and you may have put it off, thinking it wasn’t important. Over time some of the issues can begin to impact your life leading to an appointment with a general orthodontist.
If you have any of the following symptoms, you may want to go ahead and make that general orthodontist appointment, now that you want to spend some time and money on yourself.
- Pain with or after chewing
- Clicking sounds when your jaw moves
- Tongue getting in the way of speech
- Teeth that don’t properly meet when your mouth is closed
- Crowded or crooked teeth
- Biting your tongue or cheek often
- Problems flossing because teeth are crowded
Other Reasons To Get Braces
Now that you have the time and resources to consider braces, there are important reasons in addition to medical ones. You may not have been able to get braces when you were younger, or your teeth may have shifted after having braces. Investing in your smile is a great choice at any age. Today, there are so many types of braces including ones that are more hidden like Invisiline or porcelain.
According to a study by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), over one-third of adults in the U.S. are not happy with their smile. This can make social settings awkward if you are trying to avoid showing your teeth. Often making a good first impression is due to an attractive friendly smile. Almost 80 percent of Americans think people who have visibly crooked teeth are not successful.
Investing in your smile can have a positive impact on your social and professional life. Of those who aren’t happy with their smiles, 36 percent think they would have a better social life with straighter teeth. It may not surprise you to read that almost 50 percent of Americans aged 18-24 who didn’t like their smile have untagged themselves in a photo on Facebook.
It’s not only your social life that can be improved. One study found that almost 60 percent of those interviewed believed a person with straight teeth seemed more competent and successful than someone with crooked teeth.
Adults Wearing Braces
Out of the over four million wearing braces in the U.S., over one million of them are adults. Not only is it becoming more common, but it is almost always successful. Basically it is quite rare for an adult not to have a great outcome after wearing braces. This is positive since most adults need braces! Only one third of the country’s occupants have properly aligned teeth.
When you head to the orthodontist to ask about braces, you will not be the only adult in the office. Adults with braces is a growing trend with positive social and professional outcomes. The best reward of investing in yourself and your teeth will be the feeling of confidence when you show off your smile no matter what the setting.
