When Sarah first got her braces at age 35, she wasn’t just fixing her smile – she was finally addressing the chronic jaw pain that had plagued her for decades. “I always thought dental braces were just for teenagers who wanted straight teeth,” she says. “I never realized they could solve the headaches and jaw problems I’d been living with for years.”
Like Sarah, many people don’t understand the full scope of benefits that braces can provide. Whether you’re considering braces for yourself or your child, it’s important to understand the medical and personal reasons that make braces a worthwhile investment. Wearing braces is becoming increasingly common among adults who seek to improve their smiles and oral hygiene.
Understanding Orthodontic Basics
What Are Braces?
Traditional braces are orthodontic devices that correct misaligned teeth and improve oral function. They are particularly effective in addressing issues related to crooked teeth, which can cause social embarrassment and perceived negative traits. Beyond creating a more attractive smile, braces address issues that can significantly impact oral health. Misaligned teeth can lead to unstable bite and in some cases it can cause problems like jaw pain, difficulty chewing, and even speech impediments.
The Impact of Untreated Misaligned Teeth
Left untreated, these problems can worsen over time, potentially leading to more serious health concerns like chronic headaches, sleep apnea, and tooth loss. By straightening teeth and aligning the bite, braces promote better oral hygiene, improved speech, and long-term dental health.
Health Implications of Misaligned Teeth
Misaligned teeth can have far-reaching consequences beyond just an uneven smile. When teeth are not properly aligned, it can lead to many oral health issues. For instance, misaligned teeth create hard-to-reach areas where food particles and bacteria can accumulate, significantly increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Over time, these conditions can escalate, leading to more severe problems like infections and tooth loss.
Moreover, misaligned teeth can cause uneven wear on the enamel, making teeth more susceptible to chipping or cracking. It can also make the bite unstable, which can also lead to jaw pain, as the misalignment forces the jaw to compensate, potentially resulting in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. These disorders can cause chronic pain and discomfort, affecting daily activities like eating and speaking. A dentist who is board certified in Orofacial Pain and TMD can help you to properly diagnose the source of your pain.
Additionally, improper alignment can make it difficult to chew and swallow food properly, leading to digestive issues. When food isn’t adequately broken down in the mouth, it can strain the digestive system, causing discomfort and nutritional deficiencies. Addressing misaligned teeth through orthodontic treatment is crucial for maintaining overall oral health and preventing these complications.
Medical Reasons to Get Braces
Addressing Jaw Misalignment
One of the primary medical reasons for getting braces is jaw misalignment. Conditions such as overbites, underbites, and crossbites can cause significant discomfort and lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. If those conditions are not corrected at the appropriate age, they can lead to facial asymmetry since the facial bones may not grow properly. These conditions often result in chronic jaw pain and difficulty opening or closing the mouth. The misalignment can also strain facial muscles, leading to tension headaches and neck pain. Through proper orthodontic treatment, braces can help realign the jaw, improving both function and comfort while preventing long-term complications.
Managing Crowded Teeth
Crowded teeth present another significant medical concern. Missing teeth can contribute to gaps or spaces between teeth, leading to various oral health issues, such as trapped food particles and increasing the risk of gum disease. When teeth are positioned too closely together, they create tight spaces where food particles and bacteria can accumulate. This environment significantly increases the risk of gum disease and cavities. These issues, if left untreated, can progress to tooth decay, infections, and even tooth loss. By creating proper spacing between teeth, braces make it easier to maintain good oral hygiene and prevent these serious complications.
Improving Speech and Communication
Misaligned teeth can also cause speech impediments. When teeth aren’t properly positioned, they can interfere with proper tongue placement and airflow, leading to difficulties such as lisping or unclear pronunciation. This is particularly impactful for children, who may face social and developmental challenges due to speech difficulties. Braces can correct the underlying alignment issues, enabling clearer and more precise speech.
Enhancing Digestive Health
Poor tooth alignment can also affect chewing efficiency and digestion. When teeth don’t align properly, individuals often can’t chew their food thoroughly, leading them to swallow larger particles that are more difficult for the digestive system to process. Over time, this inefficient chewing can contribute to digestive discomfort and even nutritional deficiencies. Proper alignment through braces ensures more efficient chewing and better overall digestion.
Modern Treatment Options
Traditional Metal Braces
Traditional metal dental braces remain the most common and versatile option, typically costing between $3,000 and $7,000. These braces are highly effective for treating complex alignment issues. They have benefited from technological advances that make them more comfortable than their historical counterparts.
Aesthetic Alternatives
Ceramic braces offer a more aesthetically pleasing alternative, using tooth-colored or clear brackets that blend with natural tooth color. While they may cost the same as metal braces, on specific cases they may not provide the same effectiveness as metal braces . In addition, they require extra care to prevent staining and may be more fragile than metal options. A board certified orthodontist will help to determine the best braces option for you.
Clear Aligner Technology
Clear aligners have revolutionized orthodontic treatment, offering a nearly invisible option for teeth straightening. Straighter teeth boost confidence and create positive first impressions, impacting perceived success, attractiveness, and health. These custom-made, removable trays gradually shift teeth into proper alignment. At Enjoy Orthodontics the cost of clear aligners is the same as braces. Even though they offer unique advantages, such as easier cleaning and the ability to remove them when eating and for special occasions, they’re not suitable for all cases, particularly severe misalignments. A board certified orthodontist is the best dentist to let you know whether or not clear aligners is the best option for you, so you do not waste money and time getting treated by someone with no proper training.
The Process of Getting Braces
What to Expect
Embarking on the journey to a healthier, straighter smile begins with a consultation with an orthodontist. During this initial visit, the orthodontist will thoroughly examine your teeth and jaw, often using X-rays, pictures, intra-oral scanners, 3D imaging equipment and printers to get a detailed view. Based on this assessment, they will recommend the best course of treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If braces are deemed necessary, the next step involves creating a customized treatment plan. This plan outlines the type of braces that will be used and the expected duration of treatment. Once the plan is in place, the process of installing the braces begins. This typically involves attaching brackets to the teeth using a special adhesive and threading a wire through these brackets. The wire is then tightened to apply gentle pressure, gradually moving the teeth into their desired positions.
Living with Braces
Daily Care Essentials for Oral Hygiene
Successful orthodontic treatment requires diligent daily care. Proper maintenance involves thorough brushing after every meal and using special orthodontic brushes to clean around brackets and wires. Daily flossing becomes more challenging but even more crucial with braces, requiring the use of floss threaders or special orthodontic flossers to clean between teeth effectively.
Dietary Guidelines
Dietary modifications are also essential during treatment. Patients must avoid foods damaging their braces or getting stuck in the orthodontic appliances. This includes hard candies, nuts, sticky foods like caramel, popcorn, and hard crusty bread. While these restrictions may seem limiting, they’re temporary and crucial for ensuring successful treatment outcomes.
Managing Orthodontic Emergencies
Wearing braces can sometimes lead to occasional orthodontic emergencies, such as broken wires or loose brackets. In these situations, it’s important to know basic emergency care procedures. A broken wire can often be temporarily managed with orthodontic wax until you can see your orthodontist. Loose brackets should be left in place and covered with wax if causing discomfort. For severe pain, over-the-counter pain relievers can provide temporary relief while awaiting professional attention.
Adjusting to Life with Braces
Adjusting to life with braces can take some getting used to. It’s common to experience discomfort or soreness in the first few days after the braces are installed. This discomfort is usually mild and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. As you adapt, maintaining good oral hygiene becomes even more critical. Brushing and flossing regularly are essential to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Special orthodontic brushes and floss threaders can help you clean around the brackets and wires effectively.
Dietary adjustments are also necessary. Avoiding hard, sticky, or chewy foods can prevent damage to your braces and make the treatment process smoother. While these changes might seem challenging initially, they are temporary and crucial for achieving the best possible outcome.
Getting Braces as an Adult
More and more adults wear braces to improve their oral health and achieve a stronger, more confident smile. Adult braces are designed with discretion and comfort in mind, offering options such as ceramic braces, which blend with the natural tooth color.
While the process of getting braces for adults is similar to that for children and teenagers, there are some key differences. Adult teeth are typically more stable and less prone to movement, making the treatment process longer. However, the benefits of orthodontic treatment for adults are substantial. Properly aligned teeth are easier to clean, reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Improved alignment can also alleviate jaw pain and prevent future dental problems.
With the right orthodontic treatment, adults can achieve the same level of oral health and aesthetic benefits as younger patients. Whether considering traditional metal, lingual, or ceramic braces, the journey to a healthier, more confident smile is well worth the effort.
Making Your Treatment Decision
Finding the Right Provider
Selecting the appropriate orthodontic treatment involves careful consideration of several factors. During initial consultations, orthodontists evaluate the severity of misalignment, discuss treatment options, and consider the patient’s lifestyle and preferences. They perform a comprehensive examination to develop a customized treatment plan, typically including X-rays, pictures, intra-oral scanning, and 3D imaging.
Understanding the Timeline
Treatment duration varies significantly depending on the complexity of the case and the chosen method. Most patients wear braces for 18 to 36 months, though some cases may require more or less time. Regular adjustments every 4 to 8 weeks ensure steady progress toward treatment goals.
The Long-Term Impact
Health Benefits
The benefits of orthodontic treatment extend far beyond the initial alignment correction. Properly aligned teeth are easier to clean, reducing the long-term risk of decay and gum disease. Improved jaw alignment can alleviate chronic pain and prevent future dental problems. Many patients report enhanced confidence in social and professional situations, leading to improved quality of life.
Financial Considerations
While the initial investment in braces may seem significant, many orthodontists offer flexible payment plans to make treatment more accessible. Some dental insurance plans provide partial coverage for orthodontic treatment, particularly when deemed medically necessary. The long-term value of improved oral health and confidence often outweighs the temporary financial commitment.
Taking the Next Step
Remember Sarah from our opening story? Two years after getting her braces, she reports that her jaw pain is gone, her headaches have disappeared, and she can’t stop smiling. “It wasn’t just about straight teeth,” she says. “It was about finally feeling comfortable in my own mouth.”
Your journey to better oral health and increased confidence begins with a single step. Modern orthodontics offers more options than ever, making finding a solution that fits your lifestyle and budget possible. Contact us to schedule a consultation and explore your options so we can help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.
