Top 3 Myths About Adult Braces
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Debunking The Top 3 Myths About Braces For Adults
Brace technology has come a long way in the last few decades. There has never been a better time for adults to have orthodontic braces. Orthodontic braces today are more convenient, more comfortable and also more affordable than they have ever been, with a wide range of braces options to choose from for patients of all ages – from teenagers to adults. However, many adults still remain hesitant to take up orthodontic treatment to straighten their smile. This is often a result of common misinformation or misconceptions around braces.
If you have spent a significant proportion of your adult life feeling conscious about your smile, but have somehow avoided going to a London orthodontist, now is the perfect time to find out the truth about brace treatment for adults. We will debunk some of the myths surrounding braces and also provide you with insights into why orthodontic braces remain such a successful and popular teeth straightening option for adults.
Myth 1: Braces are only for kids
While it’s true that very many orthodontic patients are teenagers and children, it’s also true that more adults than ever are starting to understand the their oral health is directly linked to the health of their overall health. As a result, we find that adult patients have an increased desire to better take care of their oral health – especially their teeth and gums, which often includes seeking advice and exploring orthodontic treatments to address their teeth alignment issues. We see this directly reflected in the increasing number of adult patient’s seeking orthodontic treatment to straighten their teeth. We will go so far as to say, a vast majority of the patient’s that see an orthodontist at Whites Dental are adults, over the age of 28. If you have teeth crowding and alignment issues, take comfort in the fact that there are thousands of other adults in London out there who are also seeking brace treatment to straighten their teeth.
Myth 2: Wearing braces will make me stand out
Many brace patients have spent months and months practicing the art of hiding their smile. They shy away completely from the prospect of drawing attention to the bulky and unsightly braces they are wearing on their teeth. Thankfully, with advances in modern dental technology, there are now multiple brace options ideally suited to straighten teeth in a discreet manner. While traditional fixed metal braces are still very common with teenagers, our adult patients have discovered a range of discreet brace options. For example, ceramic braces are increasingly popular – they use clear or tooth-coloured brackets that are often paired with white, clear or tooth-coloured wires and elastic bands to provide a highly inconspicuous brace option to transform your smile. At Whites Dental, we also offer Invisalign invisible braces that provide even more discretion to straighten your teeth. Invisalign braces (or aligners as they are also called) are trays of clear hard plastic material that are worn on the teeth in order to straighten them. They are transparent and when worn, very difficult for others to notice you have braces on. Many experienced dentists also offer lingual braces for a discreet look. Lingual braces work on the same principle as traditional orthodontic braces, however, the brackets are attached to the inside surface of the teeth, making them completely invisible to others. Only you will know you are wearing them.
Myth 3: Braces are often painful
Orthodontic braces literally move your teeth through bone, it is therefore not unusual to experience some level of mild irritation or discomfort on occasion. Braces, however, don’t have to hurt. As a result of advances in modern orthodontic technology, a number of brace systems today are able to move your teeth gently and gradually, without significant discomfort. If on occasion, you do find you need to deal with any of the following relatively minor issues, you can usually take care of them using some of the tips provided below. Mouth irritation – General irritation to your gums, lips and cheek can sometimes happen from time to time. Orthodontic wax can be a convenient and easy way to have some relief. Before you apply the orthodontic way, you need to ensure the brackets and wires are completely dry. Once they are dry, break off a small amount of wax and roll the wax into the shape of a ball. Flatten the wax ball and gently place it over parts of the braces that are causing you irritation.
Loose orthodontic brackets – If any of your brackets come loose, you should inform your dentist as soon as you can in order to help your orthodontist decide the best course of action for you.
In the meantime however, you can slide the bracket back along the length of the wire to the centre of the tooth it broke off from. Placing orthodontic wax over the loose bracket will help add a bit of stability to it.
Protruding orthodontic wires – You may find that on occasion a wire may come loose and cause irritation to the inside of the mouth. This can often be fixed relatively easily by using the soft eraser end of a pencil to gently push or nudge the wire back against your teeth till it has flattened out. In additional, you can further address the issue by placing a small piece of orthodontic wax on top of the wire in order to provide extra stability and thus reduce irritation.
Tenderness in your gums and mouth – Some patients can experience slight tenderness soon after their braces have been put on or immediately after an adjustment appointment. Frequent rinses with salt water can be an excellent home remedy that can benefit brace patients. To relieve some of the tenderness and soreness, you can try to mix one teaspoon of salt in a small glass of lukewarm water, then rinse it around the mouth for 30 to 40 seconds. Pain medication that is available over the counter at a local chemist is another useful way to relieve the soreness in your mouth and gums.
If you are thinking of adult braces, but aren’t sure if they are right for you – speak to one of our dentists who will guide you with all the options available to straighten your teeth. At Whites Dental, we provide a range of adult brace options such as Damon braces, Fast braces, Lingual brace and Invisalign invisible braces to adult patients in our vicinity. We are based in London Waterloo, right across the road from Southwark tube station. We are also a short walk away from Elephant and Castle, London Bridge and Borough market.
For more information, visit our Orthodontics homepage .