6 Little Known Ways Adult Braces Can Improve Your Life

Should you get braces as an adult?

If you are experiencing issues with your bite, or you wish you could have straighter teeth, then you might be a good candidate for braces.

Most adults who decide to get braces do so for cosmetic reasons – they want a better smile. And who can blame them? 30% of us say a person’s smile is the main thing we remember about them after meeting. A good smile makes you more attractive to others, improves your confidence, and even makes you healthier.

Misaligned teeth can cause all kinds of problems aside from a crooked smile. The alignment of your teeth affects how you speak, how you chew, and how clean your mouth may be. If you often experience headaches, jaw stiffness, or chewing problems, you may want to consider braces.

The good news is, braces aren’t what they used to be. When you picture how braces work, you likely imagine the clunky metal brackets and bands. Advances in technology have made them slimmer, more comfortable, and a lot more attractive than in the past. Similarly, the cost for braces has not risen as much as other medical treatments, which means it may seem a lot more affordable to you now.

There are several different options for adult braces. You can choose the traditional metal brackets and wires, or you can opt for something more subtle, such as Invisalign. Invisalign is a clear tray-based system that can be removed for a few hours each day to eat and drink. It is nearly invisible and will help you stay confident during the treatment.

With all that being said, are adult braces worth it? The downsides are well-known – braces can be uncomfortable, costly, and potentially unsightly. However, you may be surprised to learn all the ways that adult braces can actually improve your life:

1. A straighter smile can help you get a date.

A recent study showed that people with straighter teeth are rated more positively on a number of different measures than people with crooked teeth, including attractiveness and health. 38% of people surveyed said they probably would not go on a second date with someone with bad teeth. Additionally, almost 75% of us are more likely to trust someone with a nice smile, compared to someone with a nice car or a good job.

2. You’re more likely to get the job.

The same study found that we view people with straight smiles as 45% more likely to get a job than someone with crooked teeth. They are also considered more likely to be successful and wealthy. When interviewing for a job, your potential employer may hold these opinions as well. Having a stellar smile will make you a more appealing candidate.

3. You will feel a lot more confident.

Given the previous two points, it’s no surprise that fixing your smile will cause dramatic improvements to your self-esteem. You are likely to receive more positive feedback socially and professionally, and those good feelings will carry over into other aspects of your life. Improvements in their life outlook cause many adults who have worn braces to improve their overall attitude as well.

You may become a more sociable and lighthearted person once you are no longer self-conscious about your smile. This kind of mood boost can be truly life-changing if you have spent decades avoiding pictures or hiding your smile.

4. You’ll be healthier.

Did you know that your oral health can impact the rest of your body? It’s true. Oral health diseases like gingivitis can even make you more likely to develop heart disease. This is because gum disease increases the chances of bacteria and bacterial infections entering the bloodstream.

Dental problems like misaligned or spaced teeth make oral health diseases more likely. They can make it more difficult to clean food and bacteria out of your mouth, leading to tooth and gum decay.

Additionally, dental problems can impact how you eat and what you eat, which has obvious repercussions on your health and wellness. Painful chewing may cause you to avoid harder foods like raw vegetables and result in nutritional deficiencies over time.

TMJ is sometimes caused by misaligned teeth as well. It is an incredibly painful disorder that causes migraines, jaw swelling, tinnitus, and more. There are several different causes, but if yours is dental, then orthodontic treatment should take care of it.

Straightening out your bite with adult braces will go a long way toward keeping you healthy and happy. It may even save your life.

5. Your speech might improve.

If you have been suffering from a speech impediment, it could be a result of misaligned teeth. We form words by using our tongues, lips, and teeth at the same time. If any of those are misaligned, you may have difficulty with certain pronunciations. Straightening your teeth with adult braces can make it much easier to speak clearly.

6. Your breath will smell better.

We mentioned earlier that crooked teeth make it harder to clean out your mouth. Over time, these lingering bacteria and food particles can start to cause a pretty bad smell. If you don’t get to a professional for a thorough cleaning, that bad smell will get even worse as your teeth start to decay. Gross!

Having a strong healthy smile is important at every age, and it’s never too late to make a change. It’s true that braces are easier for children; their jaws are a bit more moldable and have not yet finished growing. Teeth are more resistant to being moved once you become an adult. Realigning adult teeth with braces may be slower and more challenging, but it is invariably worth it in the end.

In fact, adult braces are becoming more and more common lately. This is likely because it is more convenient and affordable than in the past; people who didn’t have the opportunity for braces as children are now able to take advantage of the treatment.

So if you grew up embarrassed by your smile, or if you need a minor bite correction, ask your dentist or orthodontist about adult braces.