Did you know that between one fifth and one third of the people getting braces nowadays are adults?
Gone are the days where you suffered through your teen years with a mouth full of mental - now you can enjoy that suffering in your 30s, 40s and beyond!
October is National Orthodontic Health Month - a bit ironic I suppose, since the last day of October means gorging on sweets for many adults!
The American Association of Orthodontists states that over one million adults wear braces - some wearing them again after having done so as a child - and some, like me, taking the plunge for the first time.
My teeth began to get more and more crooked and slanted after I hit 30 and even more so after I had children. At 35, the shift was pretty obvious and I thought to myself - I can do this now and get it over with, or I can cover my mouth every time I laugh, and remain unsmiling in every photo I take for the rest of my life. A lovely, healthy smile is so noticeable. Unfortunately, a crooked one is too. I figure 20 months (my estimated time frame in braces) isn't so bad. And either way - with or without braces, I dislike my teeth. The twenty months will pass anyway - so why not have straight teeth by the end of them? So 10 months ago I took the plunge.
I dislike my braces very much, to be honest. I was not a good candidate for the removable 'invisible' kind like Invisalign and I have the traditional train tracks, upper and lower. I can't eat what I want, I have to get them tightened every 6 weeks and they hurt for days after, and I get canker sores a lot, as my teeth shift. And let's not even talk about the cost!
But I am half way through the job already and am seeing a huge difference in my teeth. Despite the discomfort (and the fact that I still won't show my teeth in photos because of the braces, although I have learned to look happy without opening my mouth - a true talent!) I cannot wait to get them removed next summer and have my straight, white smile back! All worth it, for me.
And braces are not about vanity - crooked or slanted teeth cause discomfort in both the teeth and jaws and are far easier to clean and treat - contributing to healthier teeth and gums.
If you are an adult and thinking about braces, click here for some further information:
http://dentistry.about.com/od/orthodontics/a/adult_braces.htm
http://www.braces.org/beautifulsmile/adults/
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Have you thought about getting braces, as an adult?
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Add a Comment3 Comments
Hi, all. Nice site.I really like your site ! Good job man.
October 22, 2008 - 2:31amThis Comment
Most likely the reason why the dad only has to wear braces for a shorter period of time is because his gums have matured and his teeth aren't moving around as much as the daughter's.
I wore braces as an adult (had them on my wedding day!) because my dentist advised my mother that I should wait until my teeth "settled" in. It was good advice, as my teeth still wanted to migrate a bit even after more than 2 years of being banded.
My daughter went through metal bands in high school, and now is facing Invisaligns to readjust her teeth. I sure wish those were available before my wedding day, lol!
October 16, 2008 - 4:46pmThis Comment
Susan, how interesting that you posted this. Long ago, my sister's family knew that her daughter (now 11) would need braces. Her father, who has had very crooked teeth all his life, promised her that when she had to get braces, he would, too. Last month he had to make good on his promise!
She has to have them for 24 months, and he just has to have his for 20 months, I think, so she's a little envious about that. On the other hand, since she's 11 and he's 47, she's got a huge jump on him for those "pretty smile" years!
I empathize with your aching gums and canker sores. She just came home from school yesterday in pain because she had her braces tightened. It seems to be a constant when your teeth are moving around.
Looking forward to your update when you get them off. Congratulations on making the decision and getting to the halfway mark! That's huge!
October 16, 2008 - 8:52amThis Comment