When to consider dental braces

So you’ve got a couple of crooked teeth and a little overcrowding on the side of your mouth. Do you need to wear dental braces, especially if you’re no longer in your early teenage years and braces can affect the way you eat or your profession? Here are some general tips and advice from celebrated dentist and author Dr. Kami Hoss.

Image source: Pixabay.com

Image source: Pixabay.com

Dental braces are wire-based appliances used for correcting crowded as well as misaligned teeth or jaws. They’re usually recommended to improve orofacial appearance and address problems such as crowded teeth, overbites, underbites, and disorders of the jaw joints. For example, there’s too much space between teeth, or a jaw misalignment leads to an uneven bite.

While you can wear braces at any age, orthodontic issues are usually treated at an early age, or from ages 10 to 14 while the head and mouth are still growing, and teeth are more prone to straightening. Age shouldn’t deter you from getting dental braces, though, as you can use them to correct relevant problems and improve your smile.

As an adult, however, you may need to wear braces longer than a younger individual would, reminds Dr. Kami Hoss. This is because your facial bones are no longer growing, so there may be some issues that cannot be corrected through dental braces alone. Rest assured, however, that wearing braces is typically a very safe procedure with minimal short-term risks, such as tooth decay with failure to remove food deposits and plaque growth.

Kami Hoss, MS, DDS is the CEO of The Super Dentists, the largest pediatric dentistry and orthodontic practice in San Diego. He is also the chief executive officer ofAcceledontics and Howard Healthcare Academy. He is a sought-after author, consultant, inventor, and speaker in the fields of dentistry and business. Read more on this site.