Have you ever felt self-conscious of crooked teeth? Ask our Grand Rapids family dentists if you’re a candidate for adult braces or Invisalign®.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be a teenager to get a fantastic smile. Our dentists work with adults every day and help them achieve great smiles through orthodontic treatment.

Continue reading to learn why adults can benefit from orthodontics.

Adults Listen to Their Dentists

Teens and younger individuals don’t always know what is best for them and may not appreciate what they have until later in life. Adults, on the other hand, freely choose what they want for their smile and will follow advice given to them by their dentist.

For example, while wearing braces, you’ll need to avoid foods that are sticky and/or hard to chew. These types of foods can damage brackets and wires, resulting in an emergency trip to our dentists. While children may try to sneak contraband food, adults are more likely to follow instructions so they can avoid costly damage to their braces.

Adults Appreciate Teeth Straightening

Have you ever covered your smile in a group photo? Do you feel self-conscious about your teeth when meeting people for the first time? Adults understand the value of having a beautiful healthy smile, which is why they are more motivated to start orthodontic treatment and follow our instructions.

It can be hard for children to understand that their actions have consequences. As a result, they may not care for their braces in the best way. Adults are typically able to adhere to instructions better because they started the entire process more motivated to change their smile. After all, they have paid to see noticeable results.

Invisalign as an Option

Since adult patients are more motivated during orthodontic treatment, we can offer options that require more self-discipline like Invisalign clear aligners. For example, patients must steer clear of foods and drinks that could stain clear aligners. You’ll also need to wear your Invisalign clear aligners at least 20 to 22 hours a day to move teeth according to schedule.

Braces Improve Oral Health

It’s hard to brush and floss around crooked teeth. Unfortunately, dental plaque loves to hide in between teeth and along the gum line. Crooked teeth and bite issues affect more than just your appearance, they also affect oral health.

When you aren’t able to clean teeth effectively, you increase your risk for cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues. If you’ve been having trouble maintaining a healthy smile, ask our dentists if adult braces would help. Teeth straightening might be all you need to clean teeth more effectively.

Adults Practice Better Oral Hygiene

In general, adults take better care of their teeth than children. Brushing and flossing becomes even more important while wearing dental braces. Since it takes time to clean around wires and brackets, children are more likely to abandon good oral health habits. Adults instead are more dedicated to fixing their smile and will make sure their teeth stay as healthy as possible.

Get Started Today

Our dentists provide metal braces and Invisalign to help patients smile with confidence. We have experience treating patients of all ages and would be happy to work with you. To schedule your appointment with one of our Grand Rapids, MI, dentists, call GR Family Dental at (616) 455-3020.

This blog post has been updated.