How Do You Know You Need Braces as an Adult?

Updated on December 9, 2019
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In 2014, almost 1.5 million adults went to an orthodontist. According to a survey by the American Association of Orthodontists, many of those visits were for cosmetic reasons, like getting clear braces.

With an over 40% increase in adults seeking out orthodontists to help with their smile, it’s obvious it’s a trend here to stay and continue growing.

Many adults believe a smile has far-reaching ramifications on your life. One is that a straight smile helps boost your self-esteem. A high percentage of people feel the appearance of their mouth and teeth has a direct impact on their ability to interview for a job.

With so much depending upon the health and overall prettiness of your teeth, why wouldn’t you consider getting braces if you can?

In this article, we will answer the question “How do you know you need braces?” and more!

All About Braces

Dental braces are what orthodontists use to correct teeth. They work by applying gentle, steady pressure. This helps to move teeth to the desired position to help with crowding or misalignment.

There are many types of dental braces to choose from.

One of the most popular is the Invisalign process. These appliances are popular because they’re clear and align the teeth without the need for wires or brackets. They can even be removed to eat and drink.

The more traditional form of braces many people think of are metal braces. These are stainless steel and remain a good choice for complex cases. These braces are more precise because of their small size. They’re able to squeeze into smaller areas to fix crooked teeth.

Other types of braces include ceramic braces, lingual braces, and gold braces.

How Do You Know You Need Braces?

The factors that come into play to determine if you need braces will be varied and personal to you.

If you find yourself having a hard time cleaning between your teeth because of how crooked they are, you are a candidate for braces. Likewise, if you have difficulty biting into or chewing your food, you should consider looking into braces.

Other conditions that warrant braces or an overbite or underbite. These conditions can make eating difficult and even be a cause behind jaw pain. Research underbite braces if you feel you are suffering from this.

The final reason that’s growing in prevalence is cosmetics. If you feel too embarrassed to smile due to the shape of your teeth, or if you feel it is having a negative impact on the quality of your life, get braces.

How to Get Braces

The first question you should ask yourself is if your dentist is an orthodontic specialist. Not all dentists specialize in applying braces, which may surprise you. 

There’s a big difference between cleaning teeth and applying caps, which is what a traditional dentist does, compared to an orthodontic specialist who knows how to shape and affix braces to your mouth.

Smile Bright and Be Confident

So, how do you know you need braces? Everyone’s reason will be different and unique to them. Whatever your reasons, you deserve to have the best smile possible.

Having good teeth promotes a healthy lifestyle. Teeth you are proud of have an effect on every aspect of your life. Whether it’s being able to chew your food with ease or smile with confidence during a job interview, your smile matters.

Feel free to read our other articles to educate yourself on more healthcare news stories.

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