Can I get braces as an adult?
The more technology develops the more time we’re spending in our lives online. It’s very common now for us to be using multiple social media outlets and online work profiles to keep connected. With the age of social media comes a pressure to present ourselves at our very best, and at The Dental Studio we believe all our patients have the right to feel confident in their own skin and if having braces as an adult can help you on that trajectory, then we would be happy to be part of the journey. Here’s everything you need to know about orthodontics in Colchester as an adult.
Benefits of orthodontics
Firstly and probably most obviously is improved smile confidence. If you’ve spent your life feeling self-conscious about your smile then finally opting for a teeth-straightening system could make a huge difference to how you feel about yourself and your life. There are many psychological benefits linked to teeth straightening, including less anxiety, improved body image and better sleep. Sometimes we don’t realise the impact one particular thing is having on us, but the effects of self-consciousness and stress on the body can have major implications for our overall health.
Secondly, improved oral health. Many patients don’t realise the huge impact that straightening their teeth can have upon their overall mouth health. We often find with patients who have gone through an orthodontics in Colchester treatment plan that their overall gum health improves and now they are able to get a better clean around teeth that before weren’t reachable, due to overlaps and overcrowding. Being able to really clean your teeth well has a lasting impact on your long-term oral health, as we know tooth decay and gum disease are mainly caused by tartar and plaque build-up, which accumulates due to brushing being neglected.
A third benefit is improved function. It’s very common for misalignment, overcrowding or gaps to cause issues with our teeth’s functionality without us realising. It can cause problems with chewing food that you won’t necessarily notice, which in turn has an impact on your digestive system. It can also cause people to grind their teeth at night, if you’re someone frequently suffering headaches and jaw aches for no obvious reason it’s likely linked to tooth grinding. Patients who undergo orthodontics in Colchester procedures, often report less tooth grinding post treatment.
Are there more adult-friendly options?
Understandably many adult patients we see looking for braces are apprehensive about opting for a fixed wire brace and they might feel self-conscious in a professional working environment. Luckily, with the development of systems like Invisalign and Six Month Smiles, patients can now enjoy teeth straightening in a far more subtle way. Invisalign, for instance, uses clear removable trays that allow for better teeth cleaning and offers less overall disruption to your lifestyle.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team at The Dental Studio about the prospect of adult braces don’t hesitate to get in contact. One of the team would be happy to talk you through all the treatment plans available.