The desire for a straighter and healthier smile doesn’t necessarily go away as we age. For many, the idea of a smile makeover becomes more intriguing and attainable. Many adults today with crooked teeth consider orthodontics to correct their smile because they didn’t have tooth-straightening treatment when they were young. And for many of us, this wasn’t all that common because even 20 or 30 years ago, parents weren’t as well educated on the health risks of crooked teeth. But this begs the question, is there an age limit to getting teeth straightened?

There Is No Age Limit to Getting Teeth Straightened

Let’s get right to the point. The fact is there is no age limit to getting teeth straightened. While it is easier when you are young because your bones are more malleable, we regularly treat adults of all ages and help them achieve the straighter smile they have always wanted. So you can achieve a straighter smile if you are in your 20s, 50s, 70s, or anywhere between.

Here are some of the benefits you can expect to experience if you decide to get braces or clear aligners as an adult.

1. Your Oral Health Will Improve

When your teeth are crooked; getting into some places with your toothbrush or dental floss can be hard. This means that plaque can develop and harden into tartar before we can clean it away at the dentist’s office. Plaque buildup and tooth decay can do more than just harm your teeth. If you have severe gingivitis, you are at greater risk of developing gum disease, and the infection can affect other parts of your body. This puts you at risk of heart disease, and it can weaken your immune system.

2. You Will Save Money

Whether you had braces as a kid and need to straighten your teeth, or you are looking to get your teeth straightened for the first time, you should rest assured that it will save you money in the long run. Remember the tooth decay we mentioned above? If you are at greater risk of developing tooth decay with crooked teeth, it stands to reason that your risks go down after your teeth are straightened. This means you will have a greater chance of a healthier smile, and can avoid potentially costly dental work down the road.

3. You Have a Choice in Your Treatment

Depending on the severity of your orthodontic situation, you might have choices in the type of treatment you get. Clear aligners are a great choice for adults who want a discrete solution to their dental treatment and have the discipline to keep their trays in for the required 20 to 22 hours per day. So, if your teeth aren’t too misaligned, you might be able to choose clear aligners versus traditional metal braces. However, metal braces might be the better option if you have severely crooked teeth.

4. You’ll gain self-confidence with your new and improved smile.

As adults, we know that first impressions matter. And that smile of yours can go a long way in helping others to feel welcomed or confident in who you are and what you do. But if your smile is crooked or not aesthetically pleasing, you maynot feel like smiling often. When you don’t smile, it can negatively impact you at work and in your personal life. Once your teeth are straight and your smile makeover is complete, we’re confident you’ll feel like smiling more than ever.

Though there is no age limit to getting your teeth straightened, although younger is better. 

Though we have shared several benefits to getting braces as an adult, the fact is that it is better to address crooked teeth when kids are young. And, it all starts with an early orthodontic evaluation around age seven. At this special appointment, your child’s dentist will look at the teeth that have come in and what has yet to come in. This helps the dentist determine if any course correction needs to be done now to protect the angle of your child’s teeth, if treatment can wait, and if treatment will need to be done in the future.

Of course, if your kids’ dentist determines your child could benefit from braces, there are several reasons not to delay the treatment. Check out these benefits of orthodontic work when your kids are younger.

1. Protect Your Child’s Oral Health

The sooner your child’s teeth are straightened, the less likely they are to develop tooth decay that could otherwise be avoided. Straight teeth put less pressure on the jawbone when your child bites and chews their food. This means less risk of developing a TMJ disorder later.

2. More Cost-effective for Parents 

Though braces come with a cost, getting orthodontic work for your child can save you money later. Straight teeth are easier for your child to clean at home as they learn to brush and floss, and for the dental team conducting the professional dental cleaning every six months. When bacteria is effectively cleaned away, it makes it harder for tooth decay to develop. This means less risk or need for fillings and dental crowns as your child ages.

3. Healthy Facial Development

Getting orthodontics for your young teen takes advantage of the growth potential as they grow into adulthood. Braces can balance jaw growth and promote healthy facial development. If your child has a misaligned jaw, they may also develop asymmetrical facial development. Healthy facial profile development also helps with breathing problems, such as sleep apnea. 

4. Helps kids to develop self-confidence right out of the gate.

Self-confidence isn’t something that just comes overnight. It takes time and evolves. But, if your child has a happy, healthy, straight smile, they are likely to want to smile at others. And others are more likely to receive their smile in a positive way. As your child sees this reaction in others, it will help them develop a natural self-confidence that will pay off later in life.

Do you or your child need braces? Contact Compass Dental Group today.

As we mentioned, there is no age limit to getting your teeth straightened. So whether you are a parent who wants orthodontics for your child, or an adult who wants straighter teeth, we can help. Request an appointment today, and let’s work together to set you on a path to a happier, healthier, and straighter smile.