Getting Adult Braces What You Need to Know
Getting Adult Braces: What You Need to Know
Leila Jahangiri, clinical professor and chair of the department of prosthodontics at the New York University School of Dentistry, says that many older adults who are having their teeth aligned either didn’t have them fixed as children or have teeth that have moved and shifted over time. Many may now have grown children and fewer expenses, so they’re better able to afford the cost. Join today and save 25% off the standard annual rate. Get instant access to discounts, programs, services, and the information you need to benefit every area of your life. Fewer people are wearing dentures — baby boomers are the first generation to keep their natural teeth over a lifetime — and advances in the technology for tooth alignment are less intrusive and more aesthetically pleasing. “With increased demand,” Jahangiri says, “more dentists are being trained to treat older adults.”
In addition, a bad bite can cause wearing of the tooth enamel, which can lead to more expensive dental work and problems including tooth decay, gum disease and difficulty chewing. Jawbones, soft tissue and teeth tend to move as you age. For some older people, it’s about looking better, and getting orthodontal care help with that. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) suggests that if your teeth are crowded, protruding, spaced too far apart, meet abnormally or don’t meet at all, correction may be recommended. Braces and aligners are the “appliances” orthodontists most commonly use today for moving teeth into their proper positions. Adults often have more tooth problems than children, says Featheringham. When an adult is looking to have teeth moved and aligned, they should seek out an orthodontist, because orthodontists are the best prepared and educated to treat the complicated problems adults can have. “It used to be,” she adds, “that the only adults who came in for treatment were those who had serious functional problems like the inability to eat or speak well. But now we’re seeing significant numbers of adults seeking treatment for cosmetic improvement and overall wellness.” When considering whether to have your teeth fixed, says Forsea, beware of false claims, especially on the internet, about over-the-counter “do-it-yourself” kits. “Never do it yourself — it can be very dangerous,” she warns, “and can cause tooth erosion, misalignment of your bite leading to , gum infections and, in some cases, even tooth loss.”
Dental Health
Getting the Facts Straight on Braces for Adults
Having teeth fixed is not just for kids
Westend61/Getty Images Today older adults are getting their teeth fixed in record numbers. According to Humana, more than 4 million Americans wear braces, and 25 percent of them are adults. The numbers for those age 50 and over are difficult to determine, but experts agree that they are growing.Leila Jahangiri, clinical professor and chair of the department of prosthodontics at the New York University School of Dentistry, says that many older adults who are having their teeth aligned either didn’t have them fixed as children or have teeth that have moved and shifted over time. Many may now have grown children and fewer expenses, so they’re better able to afford the cost. Join today and save 25% off the standard annual rate. Get instant access to discounts, programs, services, and the information you need to benefit every area of your life. Fewer people are wearing dentures — baby boomers are the first generation to keep their natural teeth over a lifetime — and advances in the technology for tooth alignment are less intrusive and more aesthetically pleasing. “With increased demand,” Jahangiri says, “more dentists are being trained to treat older adults.”
Are braces a good idea for adults
“As our lifespans lengthen and we try to remain healthy and active well into older age, our social lives and activities continue, we have more relationships, and we’re more focused on how we look and feel. That includes what our teeth and mouths look like,” says Joana Forsea, clinical director of orthodontics at the New York University School of Medicine. By the time you’re in your 50s, says Dale Anne Featheringham, an orthodontist in Columbus, Ohio, your teeth may have shifted. This can happen after you’ve lost teeth and your remaining teeth drift into those empty spaces. Or it can be the result of bone loss around the teeth, the way you position your tongue, or ongoing pressure from your tongue and cheek muscles. “Because the bones of the jaw and around your teeth and as you age, problems can arise that prompt older people to seek orthodontic treatment,” she says. Poor alignment of the teeth can cause other problems. If they’re crowded, they can be difficult to clean. That can cause inflammation, which in turn can lead to bone loss. “Every day we’re learning more about the connection between the health of the mouth and overall health, and we’re discovering that inflammation is linked to more serious problems like heart and lung diseases,” Featheringham says. AARPIn addition, a bad bite can cause wearing of the tooth enamel, which can lead to more expensive dental work and problems including tooth decay, gum disease and difficulty chewing. Jawbones, soft tissue and teeth tend to move as you age. For some older people, it’s about looking better, and getting orthodontal care help with that. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) suggests that if your teeth are crowded, protruding, spaced too far apart, meet abnormally or don’t meet at all, correction may be recommended. Braces and aligners are the “appliances” orthodontists most commonly use today for moving teeth into their proper positions. Adults often have more tooth problems than children, says Featheringham. When an adult is looking to have teeth moved and aligned, they should seek out an orthodontist, because orthodontists are the best prepared and educated to treat the complicated problems adults can have. “It used to be,” she adds, “that the only adults who came in for treatment were those who had serious functional problems like the inability to eat or speak well. But now we’re seeing significant numbers of adults seeking treatment for cosmetic improvement and overall wellness.” When considering whether to have your teeth fixed, says Forsea, beware of false claims, especially on the internet, about over-the-counter “do-it-yourself” kits. “Never do it yourself — it can be very dangerous,” she warns, “and can cause tooth erosion, misalignment of your bite leading to , gum infections and, in some cases, even tooth loss.”