There’s this popular misconception that orthodontics is only for children. This is probably because kids are the ones who are mostly seen with metal braces on their teeth. Well, if research by the American Association of Orthodontists is anything to go buy, it’s never too late to have orthodontic treatment. You can also have it in your senior life, so you are not just restricted to metal braces.
There are other discrete options like clear plastic aligners that you can get at Pitner Orthodontics Invisalign Downtown Columbia SC. Senior citizens are generally cautious when it comes to undergoing treatments. So, it’s normal to ask if orthodontics treatments are worth it or a waste of money. Here are reasons to believe that orthodontics for seniors are worth spending money on:
- Correct Bad Bite
At old age, the jawbone, just like other bones, loses its density and strength. As a result, teeth start to wrap and go out of position. Sadly, this interferes with your chewing. The good news is that bad bites can be easily corrected by orthodontics. Through teeth aligners, crooked teeth are realigned and this restores your natural bite.
- Get a Better Smile
There’s a close linkage between your teeth and smile. When your teeth are straight, it’s easier to smile more often. Orthodontics can straighten misaligned teeth to give you a perfect smile. Additionally, it can address issues like tooth loss and tooth wear that are associated with bone loss. As mentioned, bone loss is a natural process of aging.
- Improve Oral Hygiene
Orthodontics doesn’t just make your teeth straighter so that you can chew and smile better. They also help you enjoy better oral hygiene. Remember, bacteria like crooked and overcrowded teeth because they can easily hide and not be reached by a toothbrush. However, it becomes easy to brush them off when the teeth are straight. This is what orthodontics guarantee. It’s also easier to floss your teeth after orthodontic treatment.
- It Doesn’t Have to Be Obvious
We’ve already mentioned clear plastic aligners, popularly identified as Invisalign. They are like transparent mouth guards, which means you can wear them without people noticing. Unlike metal braces, plastic aligners are gentle to your gums. Other less noticeable options for seniors are lingual braces and ceramic braces. Lingual braces are metallic but they are fitted at the back of the teeth. This makes them less conspicuous. Ceramic braces, on the other hand, are translucent and tend to match the teeth.
- Flexibility at its Best
If you opt for Invisalign, you don’t have to struggle to wear the aligners all the time. They are flexible to remove whenever you want—before you go to bed or every time you want to eat. You can also drink water with aligners on. There’s no problem!
The Wrap
Without a doubt, orthodontics for seniors is worth it. The treatment is not just a cosmetic option that improves your smile but also a functional procedure that restores your bite, enhancing your quality of life. After so many years of living, you deserve healthy and straighter teeth.
