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There are a lot of reasons why people don’t get braces at a young age. Some kids don’t need them growing up and decide to refocus their attention on other things instead of getting braces as an adult. Regardless, tooth alignment is a necessary procedure with an endless supply of benefits. At Edge Orthodontics in Provo, Utah, our adult clients see these benefits firsthand. Let’s explore some of the things that you should know if you’re an adult and wonder if braces are right for you. 

The Benefits of Getting Braces as an Adult 

Before anyone considers whether braces as an adult are worth it or not, consider how vital your oral health is to the rest of your life. The food you eat relies on strong, healthy teeth to break it down. Teeth that are not properly aligned become more susceptible to damage, as well as the gums that contain them. Our Board-Certified Orthodontists agree, braces align your “overall bite which is crucial not only for aesthetic results but for your long-term dental and physical health.” 

An added benefit to getting braces as an adult is that most adults are more likely to keep their braces clean and well-maintained. This makes visits to the orthodontist more pleasant. Although many adults prefer Invisalign, braces can be adjusted at each visit and allow us to make complex and precise adjustments with each visit.  

Will Braces as an Adult Make Me Look Like a Teenager? 

We get this question more than you think. As working professionals, some adults may worry about the aesthetics of braces and how they might be perceived in the workplace or elsewhere. Thankfully, the answer is no. Traditional braces have become more discreet in their appearance to meet market demand. There are also ceramic braces now, which rest on the teeth but are transparent white, making them hardly noticeable to the untrained eye.  

What About Invisalign? 

Since its introduction to the world of orthodontics, Invisalign has been a wildly popular alternative to braces for adults. Patients wear a personalized set of aligners which rest over the teeth and are completely transparent and removable. Every two weeks, patients will put in the next series of aligners and visit our office every six to twelve weeks to ensure that their teeth are growing properly into place. Although Invisalign is a viable option, and Burg is a certified provider, some cases may require traditional braces.  

Request a Free Consultation for Braces as an Adult

Getting braces as an adult may seem like a big jump. Pairing with the right orthodontist makes things a lot easier. Our certified professionals will gladly help you explore the options and help you determine which treatment is right. Edge Orthodontics offers several different types of treatment and payment options. We work with every patient to make sure that anyone who walks through our doors can get the smile they deserve. To request a consultation appointment free of charge, click here. 

Did you know that you can straighten your teeth in as little as a year?

Braces are an affordable solution to correct your smile. In exchange for a bit of discomfort, you get the healthy, straight teeth you’ve always wanted. Braces for adults are great if you never had them as a child.

That said, braces are not a fire-and-forget solution. If you don’t know how to care for them, then you risk delaying the results.

In this orthodontic care guide, we’ll go over the 5 tops things you should know about having braces.

1. Brush Often and Get Regular Orthodontic Care

The old wisdom goes that you should brush your teeth after every meal. This prevents any food residue from sitting on your teeth, which could form harmful plaque that damages your enamel. 

Braces are notorious for holding onto the food you eat. If you’ve seen braces for children, you know how bad this can get. It’s not just a gross eyesore, it’s bad for your teeth for the reason outlined above.

Food residue can collect on your teeth even without brackets. So imagine how much worse it is for your teeth when large clumps of food are stuck to them.

To save yourself the unsightly look of food stuck in your braces, carry a toothbrush with you everywhere you go. Store it in a plastic container to keep it clean. Once you’ve finished a meal, dip into the bathroom to clean out your brackets.

The same goes for snacks. Even if you’ve only had a handful of chips, it’s good practice to whip out the toothbrush.

That said, a standard toothbrush isn’t ideal for cleaning behind brackets. Talk to your orthodontist about interproximal brushes. These are those pipe cleaner-looking brushes that allow you to clean the brackets at an angle.

Floss More Often, Too

Flossing should have already been a part of your daily brushing routine. Now, it’s more important than ever.

The problem is that it’s hard to floss with braces. It would be a nightmare to use traditional floss. You should check out a water flosser, or an orthodontic flosser. 

Flossing not only prevents cavities, but it also keeps your gums healthy. At the end of the day, straight teeth won’t look so great if they’re unhealthy. Regular cleaning is a good habit to have with or without braces.

Last of all, don’t miss your orthodontic appointments. These are necessary to tighten or correct your braces. Delay an appointment, and you could delay your results.

2. Limit What You Eat 

Unfortunately, you won’t be eating like you used to with braces. The brackets can break if you eat certain things. Breaking a bracket won’t be a fun experience for you, and it will require an emergency appointment at your local orthodontics clinic.

Even if you don’t break a bracket, you could snap a rubber band. Rubber bands aren’t fun to replace. 

Here is a list of things you can and can’t eat. Generally speaking, you want to avoid foods that are either very chewy, or crunchy and hard. Chewing gum, popcorn kernels, and even stuff like caramels. 

And while we’re on the topic of sugary snack foods, you’ll want to limit your sugar intake. Sugar is a dentist’s and an orthodontist’s nightmare. Cleaning is already difficult with braces for adults, so sugar risks cavities in those difficult-to-reach crevices.

3. Limit What You Drink

If you’re a regular coffee or tea drinker, then you’ll need to reduce or stop your intake with braces. The same goes for red wine. The acidic content can stain your bands as well as your brackets.

This not only creates an unfavorable color, but it also leads to the same problem as before. You’ll have more trouble cleaning off the stains from these beverages. This could leave white spots on your teeth after removing the brackets.

If you’re not willing to make such a drastic change, then consider gargling some water or mouthwash after you finish your drink. This may reduce the staining effect, cutting cleaning time. Coffee drinkers can try iced coffee, and drink it with a straw to minimize contact with the teeth.

Again, avoid sugary drinks if possible. Limit sodas and high-sugar juices. This reduces the risk of cavities.

4. Avoid Tobacco Use

Everyone knows that tobacco can stain your teeth. So like coffee and tea, this can complicate the already complicated cleaning process. Tobacco leaves a much darker, more noticeable stain than coffee.

If you use chewing tobacco, the effect is even worse. Chew can get stuck in your teeth, causing even more complications with cleaning. 

If you’re already cutting back your diet with braces, this might be a time to quit smoking as well. Consider the inconvenience of braces as a blessing in disguise to get rid of some old bad habits.

5. Use the Right Toothpaste and Include Mouthwash

You may have noticed that a lot of toothpaste these days includes a “whitening effect.” This means the toothpaste adds some hydrogen peroxide, commonly used in teeth whitening procedures.

There’s nothing wrong with whitening your teeth. However, you will run into the same problem of staining your teeth with coffee, tea, or tobacco. There will be a noticeable difference in color between where the orthodontist glued the brackets and the surrounding tooth surface.

If you want to get teeth whitening, consider delaying this procedure until after you remove your brackets.

Further, add some mouthwash into your daily oral hygiene routine. Mouthwash is already a great way to clean your teeth. It’s especially helpful with braces for adults because it gets into those hard-to-reach areas.

Know When to See an Orthodontist

Braces are a great, affordable way to straighten your teeth. However, you should use these 5 tips to keep them in the best condition. All it takes is a little bit of extra effort, which gives you the best results.

The best orthodontic care is family-friendly and in your neighborhood. Call us to see how Edge Orthodontics can give you your dream smile.

About 70% of Americans feel self-conscious about their teeth and the criticism they receive from those closest to them. Over 60% want to change something about their teeth. A few main concerns include crookedness and spaces between teeth.

With orthodontic treatment, you can straighten your smile, benefiting your mental and physical health. 

On the fence about visiting an orthodontist in Utah? Here are a few benefits of straight teeth to consider first. After reading this guide, you can determine if orthodontic treatment is right for you.

Read on to discover the top straight teeth benefits today!

1. Dodge Bruxism

When your teeth are straight, the top and bottom rows of your teeth will rest against one another properly. However, you’re likely to begin grinding your teeth if you have an unaligned bite.

Grinding your teeth, known as bruxism, can wear down your protective tooth enamel over time.

Without enamel, your teeth can become vulnerable. Enamel protects your teeth from germs and decay. You also can’t grow tooth enamel back once it’s gone.

If you recently started grinding your teeth, you might experience symptoms like:

• Increased tooth pain or sensitivity
• Soreness in the neck, jaw, and face
• Pain or damage from chewing the inside of your cheeks
• Flatted, chipped, fractured, or loose teeth
• Tight or tired jaw muscles
• Sleep disruptions
• Dull headaches

If you’re grinding your teeth while you sleep, you could begin snoring. You might also develop sleep apnea, which can cause you to wake up in the middle of the night. Without proper sleep, your mental and physical health will decline. 

Let your orthodontist in Utah know if you begin experiencing these symptoms. They can help you recognize the benefits of straight teeth. For example, straightening your teeth will ensure the bottom and top rows are in proper alignment.

You could avoid bruxism and other complications while protecting your enamel as a result. 

2. Avoid Decay

Remember, grinding your teeth can leave them vulnerable to bacteria and potential decay.

If there are gaps between your teeth or they appear crooked, you might also struggle to thoroughly floss and brush. Without proper oral care, your teeth can become vulnerable. For example, you might unintentionally leave food particles between your teeth.

Allowing food particles to linger between your teeth will give them the chance to mix with bacteria. As a result, plaque can form. Plaque is the clear, sticky substance that can cling to the surface over teeth.

If you’re not brushing properly, plaque can harden into tartar over time. Schedule a dental cleaning to have the tartar removed right away. Otherwise, your risk of tooth decay will increase.

The plaque on your teeth will begin to release acid, causing decay and cavities. You might lose a tooth or begin experiencing painful symptoms.

Learn how to get perfect teeth from your local orthodontist. Straightening your teeth will make it easier for you to brush and floss. Then, you can avoid decay and other complications. 

3. Chew Easily

You might find it’s more difficult to chew your favorite foods when your teeth aren’t in proper alignment. Some patients avoid chewing apples, steak, and other hard foods as a result. Removing certain foods from your diet can impact your ability to get the nutrients you need.

Straightening your teeth with orthodontic treatment could make it easier for you to chew in the future.

If you’re not thoroughly chewing foods before swallowing, you could give your digestive system more work. You might experience digestive issues as a result. 

Straightening your teeth can make chewing easier, allowing you to improve your digestive health. 

4. Reduced Risk of Injuries

Orthodontic treatment can address a number of issues, including:

• Underbite
• Overbite
• Spacing issues
• Crowding issues
• Misplaced midline
• Crossbite
• Underbite

These orthodontic issues might increase your chances of an accident. For example, you might knock out a tooth during a sporting or car accident. You might bite your tongue or scratch the inside of your cheek.

Talk to your Utah orthodontist about these straight teeth benefits. They can help you determine what course of treatment aligns with your specific needs. With their help, you can straighten your teeth to avoid future problems. 

5. Space of Implants

Are you missing an adult tooth? Don’t leave the problem unattended for too long. Otherwise, your surrounding teeth will begin to lean toward the gap.

As your teeth shift, your bite will change. Your teeth might start protruding at odd angles, too. Remember, your risk of an injury might increase as a result.

If your teeth have leaned toward the gap, you’ll need to straighten them before getting a dental implant. An implant can fill in the space your missing tooth left behind. Then, you can restore your smile!

6. Improved Gum Health

Remember, food particles and bacteria will have an easier time hiding between your teeth if they’re crooked. As a result, plaque can develop between your teeth, leading to inflammation.

Inflammation can cause painful, red, and swollen gums. Your gums might start bleeding when you brush your teeth, too.

If these symptoms sound familiar, make sure to visit a dentist right away. It’s likely you’ve developed gingivitis.

Gingivitis might cause additional gaps between your teeth. It can also increase your risk of stroke, heart disease, or diabetes. 

One of the benefits of straight teeth is the reduced risk of gum disease. Otherwise, the bones holding your teeth together could start to break down. You could experience jaw pain and other complications as well. 

7. Stronger Self-Confidence

If you feel self-conscious about your smile, talk to your dentist about how to get perfect teeth. Straightening your teeth can help you feel more confident. The boost in your self-esteem can benefit your quality of life and mood.

You might feel more inclined to take healthy risks at work or in your social life, too!

Start Smiling: Experience These Benefits of Straight Teeth Today

Don’t let crooked teeth impact your mental or physical health. Instead, consider these benefits of straight teeth. With orthodontic treatment, you can experience these benefits firsthand. 

Want to talk to your orthodontist in Utah about your treatment options? We’re here to help. 

Get in touch with our office today to get started!

The number of adults choosing to seek orthodontic care continues to climb each year. Why are so many adults fighting back against the stigma of seeing an orthodontist in later years? Receiving orthodontic care isn’t only for young children or teens. 

There are many adults as well who’d benefit from braces. There’s no age limit on having healthy teeth and gums. All you need to do is find the best orthodontist in Utah! 

In the guide below, we’ll discuss how to choose an orthodontist near you. Continue reading below to start prioritizing your dental hygiene. 

Their Educational Background

A good starting place when choosing an orthodontist is to look at their educational background and the university they received their training. All orthodontists are dentists but not all dentists are orthodontists. This is important to keep in mind, so be sure to ask for proof of their educational background and certifications that qualify them to be an orthodontist in Utah.

Pay close attention to how many years of training they received and what associations they’re a member of. The American Association of Orthodontists is one example. You can look up members on the website or simply ask your orthodontist to provide you with proof of their various memberships. 

A board-certified orthodontist has taken extra steps to show their commitment to their craft. 

Their Orthodontic Experience

As mentioned above, all orthodontists are dentists. Orthodontists receive training to become a dentist first before then expanding their training to become an orthodontist. You want to speak with your orthodontist about their orthodontic experience. 

When did they receive their degree and certificates for orthodontics? How long have they been an orthodontist? Some orthodontists keep portfolios of past dental work done on patients. 

If they have a portfolio available with before and after pictures, then take a few moments to look through it. This can give you a good idea of what to expect from your own treatment while keeping in mind that each patient is unique and will have their own unique results. 

Their Online Patient Reviews

What are past and current patients saying about this orthodontist? When you’re searching for a new orthodontist near you, it’s always ideal to conduct some online research. Through this research, you’ll find reviews left by patients. 

Take the time to read through all of these reviews. Patient reviews are a good way to gauge the quality of service given by an orthodontist. It’s not uncommon to have a negative review here and there, but the majority of the reviews should be great and should make you feel confident with your selection. 

The Orthodontic Services Offered

While conducting your research, be sure to visit the orthodontist’s website. Does the orthodontist have a professional website that provides everything you need to know about their background and the type of dental care you can expect to receive there? 

Then, find a list of the orthodontic services offered at their office. Are they able to treat both children and adults so the entire family has one orthodontic office to call home? Do they offer a variety of braces and Invisalign to give you plenty of options to choose from? 

Find this information online and then contact the orthodontist office directly with any questions you might have about their services. 

The Office Hours and Location

You should be able to find information about the office hours and location on the website. The office hours and location are important for your convenience. You want to find an office that’s close to your home, work, or school so you can get to the office easily during your regular weekday. 

It’s also ideal that the office hours work well with your schedule so you can easily schedule appointments when needed. However, do keep in mind that it’s sometimes worth it to make the drive to an office a bit further away with an amazing orthodontist. These are simply a few extra factors to consider when making your final selection. 

The Available Payment Options

Keeping up with oral hygiene does come with a cost. Thankfully, dental insurance covers the majority of dental hygiene services needed. However, if there’s something your insurance doesn’t cover or doesn’t completely cover, then you need to know what your payment options are. 

Ask the orthodontist to provide you with a list of payment options to consider. Many orthodontists will offer payment plans and other financing options to ensure you receive the orthodontic services you need without worry. 

Their Answers to Your Questions

It’s ideal to create a list of interview questions to ask the orthodontist before choosing them. Take a few minutes to write down any questions you might have for them. You can ask questions pertaining to their educational background, certifications, and experience. 

You can ask about the services they provide and what the treatment process looks like. If you have any concerns about visiting an orthodontist in general, then be sure to voice those concerns at this time as well. Prepare your list of questions and then schedule a consultation with the orthodontist where you can then have all these questions answered. 

It’s Time to Learn How to Choose an Orthodontist

Gather all of the information provided to you in this guide above. Then, use it to help you navigate through the process of selecting the right Utah orthodontist for you. When you know how to choose an orthodontist, you’ll have peace of mind each time you schedule an appointment.

At Edge Orthodontics, we take pride in providing your family with the best quality of orthodontics care. We have a diverse staff offering a wide range of expertise in adult, adolescent, and pediatric orthodontic care. Interested in learning more about our orthodontic treatments?

Contact us today to learn more!