Straighten Teeth
Contrary to popular belief, braces are not just for children. Adults sometimes need braces, too, and your dentist is the only person who can recommend this for you. Braces are designed to help straighten teeth and correct other problems in the mouth, though many people assume they are for nothing more than vanity purposes.
Yes, braces can improve your smile significantly, but they are about more than just fixing crooked and uneven teeth. They help prevent additional problems in the mouth whether you are young or old, and they are not always an option you can forgo if you have oral health issues.
Why Do People Need Braces?
There are a few reasons you or your child might need braces, though some issues are more common than others.
01 - Genetics
Unfortunately for some people, they inherit their parent’s or grandparent’s bad teeth. They are crooked, they are not aligned properly, and they might not form well in the mouth. The shape and size of your jaw, teeth, and face are all genetic, which means some people need braces for no reason other than the fact that they inherited their family’s dental issues.
02 - Poor Oral Health
If you don’t take care of your teeth when you are a child or even an adult, you may need braces when decay has set in and changed the shape of your mouth. Your teeth might shift, and you might need braces as an adult because you didn’t care for the teeth you had when you were younger.
03 - Other Issues
Accidents, poor nutrition, prolonged thumb-sucking, and other issues might cause your mouth to have other problems that cause spacing and bite issues. Over-bites, under-bites, crowded teeth, crooked teeth, poor alignment, gum disease, and abnormal enamel wear all cause issues in your mouth that might result in your need for braces.
How Does the Process Work?
There is a process involved in getting braces, and understanding that process is important. The most important part of the process is making an appointment and letting your dentist discuss braces with you.
If you feel that you might benefit from braces, contact Wilson Dental to schedule a consultation. We want to help you find the smile you’ve been looking for no matter your age.
The Process
Once it’s been decided you need them, your orthodontist will begin the process. This involves:
- Taking x-rays and dental impressions so that your braces can be custom-designed for your mouth
- A thorough cleaning is done in your mouth
- Adhesive is applied to clean, dry teeth
- Brackets are attached
- Arch wire is placed into the brackets and elastic is used to keep them in place
Putting Braces
It takes approximately two hours for your dentist to put braces into your mouth, and it doesn’t hurt. However, you will feel some discomfort after getting your braces. It’s new material in your mouth, and you might find that it’s uncomfortable for a few weeks.
Caring for Braces
Your dentist will discuss caring for your braces with you, and you will see your dentist for a follow-up appointment to see how they are doing in your mouth. You will need to change you eating habits, and you will need to make some minor lifestyle adjustments to ensure you don’t do any damage to your braces. You will also see your dentist every few months or so to adjust your braces to fit the new shape of your teeth as they fix the problems in your mouth.