Wearing clunky metal braces used to be associated with the teenage years, evoking an image of the awkwardness of high school. Yet now we know that orthodontics can be beneficial to people at all stages of life who struggle with common dental problems, and modern options go far beyond the standard metal braces. Let’s take a look at how orthodontics can be right for any stage of life and solve many issues that impact children and adults.

Do Children Need Orthodontic Care?

Orthodontic treatment should start from an early age to help children avoid the issues that can come from misaligned teeth, like problems chewing, issues with talking clearly, and problems with self-esteem. In fact, it’s recommended that children start orthodontic treatment by the age of 7. This will help ensure they don’t suffer unnecessary tooth pain and difficulty as the permanent teeth come in. While children will continue to see adult teeth coming in as they grow into the teen and adult years, there is no increased space in the mouth to accommodate these teeth. This can make it impossible for the teeth to straighten themselves out naturally.

Orthodontia makes it possible to realign the teeth so they sit in a more precise order, stopping the child from developing crooked teeth or crossbites. Stopping these issues before they can develop is simpler and less time-consuming than trying to fix them after they occur, not to mention more affordable. Statistics show that the US spends nearly triple the amount of money on healthcare-related expenses compared to other countries around the world. If you’re conscious of your budget, paying for preventative care is likely to be less expensive than paying for dental surgery or a long course of braces to correct or remove a misplaced tooth.

How Adults Can Benefit from Orthodontic Treatment

The importance of proper orthodontics for children especially cannot be discounted, but in many cases, older people can also benefit from orthodontic care. Though patients may not realize it, many issues adults experience can be traced to issues with the bite, from issues with chewing and talking to headaches and jaw pain. Some of these problems can crop up over time, causing you to wonder why they are suddenly impacting you. The answer can be as simple as a dental misalignment that has suddenly grown worse.

People of all ages should get regular dental checkups twice a year to stay on top of any developing issues in the mouth. These may not be visible to you, but they can be just as serious as those you can see with the naked eye. For example, the back teeth shifting around can create a crowded spot between two teeth that traps food particles. Without proper cleaning and flossing, you can start to develop gum disease in these areas of the mouth due to the likelihood of food particles getting trapped there. Proper orthodontics helps to develop a full, healthy bite pattern by aligning the teeth, so they sit in a straight line without crowding each other. In order to do this, the orthodontist may recognize adjustment to teeth and jaws using braces or clear aligners, like Invisalign. These can be a better option than traditional metal braces for adults who work in a professional environment.

Orthodontic treatment can help increase your comfort and confidence by minimizing dental issues and a range of related problems. If you are an adult contemplating treatment for yourself, it’s never too late to correct the dental issues that impact your self-esteem and oral health with the help of a skilled orthodontist.