How Common Is It for Adults to Get Braces?

When many people think about braces, they often picture children and teenagers. However, did you know that one in four patients visiting an orthodontist is an adult and over the age of 18? It’s never too late to get the smile that you have always dreamed of having, and the right orthodontist can help make your dreams into your reality at any age.

How Many Adults Are Wearing Braces? 

According to recent studies examining orthodontic care, the number of adults seeking professional orthodontic care is increasing every year. As more people get healthcare benefits that decrease treatment costs or move to new jobs with higher salaries, they are able to better access dental and orthodontic care. The smile of their dreams is now within reach.

Why Do Adults Get Braces?

There are many different reasons why adults choose to get braces, and many of them are similar to the reasons why children and teens get them. Some of the most common reasons why adults get braces include:

• Aesthetic reasons, like teeth that are slightly overlapping or crooked
• TMJ, or temporomandibular joint problems, that may be solved or eased by correcting the bite
• Sleep apnea, which can sometimes be worsened by a lack of orthodontic treatment
• Shifting, or teeth that have moved back into place after past orthodontic treatment due to improper maintenance or other factors
• No past orthodontic care
• Affordability, as many practices offer payment plans and other options to reduce the cost of braces
• And more!

What Are the Benefits of Getting Braces as an Adult?

It might surprise you to know that there are many benefits of getting braces as an adult. For example, many children and teens struggle with braces because they need to adapt their diet and maintain strict brushing and flossing habits for the best results. However, most adults already have a great oral care routine down, and they are mature enough that they don’t mind skipping the popcorn for a few years if it means a beautiful smile.

Additionally, adults are better able to care for their braces. It is not any trouble for an adult to slip into the bathroom after lunch to brush their teeth, while kids often have trouble maintaining good oral habits at school. Another benefit of getting braces as an adult is that your teeth are all present in your mouth already. Many times, the pain associated with having braces or orthodontic treatment as a child is because new teeth are coming in or wisdom teeth might still be present.

Is Having Braces as an Adult Different?

Other than the benefits discussed above, having braces as an adult is virtually the same as having them as a child. Most treatments will typically last from 14 to 26 months, which means that your orthodontic experience will be over before you know it. If you had orthodontic treatment as a child and simply need a little bit of assistance moving teeth back into place after shifting, your treatment might be even faster and easier.

Adults also have more options available to them when it comes to choosing the right orthodontic solution. If you do not want to have traditional braces, for example, Invisalign treatment can still get great results for you. Additionally, there are multiple types of braces that you can choose from. If you want to explore ceramic braces instead of metal ones, that could be an option.

What Can Happen If You Don’t Get Braces?

Unfortunately, some adults choose to avoid getting braces and end up paying the price later down the road. Some of the most common consequences of a lack of professional orthodontic care include:

• Overlapping or crowded teeth can increase the chances of tooth decay because you cannot properly brush or floss the area
• Discomfort due to crowding
• Poor oral hygiene may raise the probability you will experience gum disease or additional problems in the future
• Bad bite or malocclusion can make eating and drinking abnormally hard
• TMJ, which sometimes goes hand-in-hand with many other challenging conditions like insomnia 

Additionally, while it seems superficial to some, you might experience poor self-confidence if you avoid getting braces. Our smiles are one of the first things that many people notice about us, and having a crooked smile may distract from your overall beauty.When you visit the orthodontist, you can learn all about the numerous options available to you and work with the dentist to find the best solution for your needs. You deserve a more confident smile, and braces can help deliver that to you at any age.