Orthodontics is a dental specialty that corrects misaligned teeth to improve health and appearance. At our office in Fremont, CA, we can help you achieve a healthier smile you’ll love showing off.
We have patients of all ages and love seeing them leave with their dream smiles, but is there a minimum or maximum age to benefit from orthodontics?
Can Everyone Benefit from Orthodontics?
Yes! People of almost any age can benefit from orthodontics.
It’s commonly accepted that children should lose all of their teeth before getting braces or Invisalign®. However, if a child's quality of life is affected by misalignment, they can start treatment around age seven.
On the other end of the spectrum, there is no maximum age limit. This means adults can get braces. Since adults have had more wear and tear on their teeth, there is a higher chance they will need preliminary work. For example, you might need a bone graft if you have experienced bone loss.
To know if you are a good candidate for orthodontics, you’ll need to schedule an appointment for an in-depth dental exam.
What Issues Does Orthodontics Treat?
Orthodontics involves a lot more than getting braces. A few other common issues orthodontists treat include:
Overcrowding - Overcrowding is a result of your mouth not having enough room for all your adult teeth. This is commonly associated with crooked teeth, as they have to push against each other in an unnatural way to allow room for all of your teeth to grow in.
Malocclusion - This refers to a misaligned bite. Whether it's from an overbite or underbite, correcting jaw alignment is another important aspect of orthodontic treatment.
Aesthetics - If you feel self-conscious about crooked teeth, even if they aren't causing any orthodontic issues, we can get them properly aligned so you love your smile.
5 Benefits of Orthodontics
The list of orthodontic benefits is nearly endless. However, we have compiled some of the main reasons you should consider orthodontic treatment.
Damage Prevention
When you suffer from malocclusion or a misaligned bite, certain parts of your teeth are put under more force than they are meant to handle. This drastically increases the chances of them cracking or breaking off entirely.
Orthodontic treatment works to correct any bite pattern issues. This means all of your teeth will be properly aligned and remove issues related to improper force.
Better Speech
Our teeth play a significant role in how we pronounce words. Improper alignment can prevent our tongue and lips from being in position for proper pronunciation.
Orthodontic treatment used to fix speech usually involves aligning the jaw and teeth.
Improved Breathing
Like with speaking, our teeth can prevent our tongues from being in the right spot to breathe. This usually isn’t much of an issue while awake, but it can contribute to sleep apnea as your tongue can block your airway.
More Confidence
Those who have misaligned teeth have probably made an effort to hide their teeth at one point or another. Having straighter teeth can give you the confidence to smile and talk without worrying about how your teeth look.
Better Digestion
When teeth aren't aligned, they can't work efficiently. When this happens, food isn’t broken down as much in your mouth, leaving your stomach to do more work.
Unfortunately, it can only do so much, and it probably won’t be enough. When food gets passed without being completely broken down, valuable nutrients go with it and aren't absorbed.
Orthodontics for Children
There is a reason you see more kids with braces than adults. Getting braces as a child typically aligns teeth faster than waiting until an adult. It also reduces the chances of damage and developing poor speech habits.
Orthodontics for Adults
While orthodontic treatment as a child is recommended, adults can greatly benefit from it. There is no age limit as long as you are a good candidate. You may need to get work done before you can begin treatment, but almost anyone can benefit from orthodontics.
Benefit From Orthodontics in Fremont, CA
Whether you want to improve your quality of life, reduce the chance of damaging your teeth, or obtain the smile of your dreams, we can help. Book an appointment online or call us today!