You’re never too old to gain a straight, beautiful, and healthier smile with orthodontics.

For a long time, orthodontic treatments like braces were almost exclusively connected to teenagers. It became almost a rite of passage, something that many kids underwent on their journey to adulthood. While this association still exists, it’s no longer exclusive—not by a long shot! 

After all, there’s no real age limit to orthodontics, so adults of any age can benefit from it just as much as teenagers, and improvements and changes in orthodontic treatment methods have recently led more and more adults to choose to undergo it. If you’re curious about adult orthodontics but aren’t sure if it’s right for you, or if you just think you’re “too old,” here are 5 reasons more adults are getting orthodontic treatment than ever before.

1. There are more options available.

One of the biggest reasons more adults are getting orthodontic treatment is that more treatment options are available. The most popular of these are clear aligners, which allow you to undergo orthodontic treatment discreetly. As their name suggests, clear aligners are made from a specialized clear plastic, but they’re also custom-made to fit the contours of your teeth and gums. 

This makes them nearly invisible on your teeth, which is a major plus for many patients. It’s an especially impactful benefit in your professional life because it allows you to avoid the presence of prominent metal braces, which many adults worry will make their coworkers or bosses take them less seriously, while still straightening your smile. 

Plus, clear aligners let you see—and benefit from—your treatment results in real time, continually increasing your confidence as your smile becomes straighter and more beautiful.

2. More adults are realizing that the alignment of their teeth impacts their oral health.  

While orthodontic treatment’s ability to improve the appearance of your smile is well known, more adults are becoming aware of another major benefit of straightening their smile—improving their oral health. Straighter teeth are easier to floss and brush more effectively, which in turn decreases your chances of developing oral health issues like cavities and gum disease. 

An aligned bite also tends to put less strain on the joints and muscles of your jaw, which can help protect against the development of future conditions like temporomandibular joint disorder, also known as TMD. Misaligned bites can also contribute to issues like frequent headaches, so correcting your bite may reduce the frequency or severity of these headaches. 

Improving the appearance of your smile is a tempting enough benefit for many people, but the revelation that doing so also improves and protects your oral health in one fell swoop makes it beyond worth it for many people.

3. Adults want to set a good example for kids.

We’ve all known an adult who has an attitude of “do what I say, not what I do,” and we’ve probably witnessed firsthand just how poorly that method of teaching kids works. As a result, many adults want to set a good example for the children in their lives by following their own advice. This includes areas like dental care and prevention. 

Kids need to see you practicing what you preach, and committing to orthodontic treatments if you need them is a great way to do that—plus, it’s genuinely good for you too!

4. Treatments have improved over the years.

As new treatment options have been introduced, existing treatments haven’t just stayed the same—they’ve been improving too! Over the years, traditional braces have become more effective, making them less painful at straightening teeth. This makes the treatment process smoother and provides better results, making it more worthwhile than ever for many people. 

The addition of new options like clear aligners also offers improved treatments. Clear aligners can treat almost every orthodontic issue that braces can, but they often do so on a faster timetable. 

How long your treatment will take or which treatment option is best for you depends on the specifics of your case, but if you’d like to learn more and weigh your options, you can always schedule an appointment with your dentist. They can evaluate your bite and recommend a treatment option for you, as well as give you an estimate on the length and cost of each type of treatment.

5. Orthodontics is more affordable than ever before.

While orthodontic treatments have improved over the years, they’ve also become more affordable. Even clear aligners, which weren’t covered by insurance in the past, are now usually covered the same way that braces are. The two treatments often cost about the same, though exact costs vary with each case. 

This makes all types of orthodontic care more affordable and accessible than ever! Cost can be a huge barrier to care, but with these lower costs, it’s easier to rationalize the expense to yourself and fit the treatment into your budget.

Whether you’re getting orthodontic treatment for yourself, to set a good example for the kids in your life, or a little of both, you’ll be able to see real improvement in your smile’s health and appearance—and likely in your confidence too. These are benefits that you’re never too old to reap and enjoy, and with more options at lower costs than ever before, there’s never been a better time to commit! 

If you’d like to learn more about adult orthodontics and which treatment option might be best for you from an orthodontist in the Omaha metro area, feel free to schedule a consultation with us at The Tooth Doc at any time.