Traditional braces are often associated with teenagers, but they can be a great option for older patients as well. In fact, it’s estimated that about 25% of people who wear braces are adults! Are you thinking of pursuing orthodontic treatment in order to straighten your smile? If so, here are 3 important things to keep in mind when it comes to getting adult braces.

Braces have long been a rite of passage for teens, and sometimes adults, seeking straighter smiles. While wearing braces might feel awkward at times, pop culture has helped to normalize and even celebrate the experience. From quirky characters to heartwarming transformations, there have been many memorable braces moments in movies, TV shows, and celebrity appearances that made us smile. Here’s a look at some of the best and most iconic braces moments in pop culture.

Like a lot of folks now, you may think orthodontic work only has cosmetic perks. That wouldn’t be a surprise – most people want aligned smiles because they look pretty and pleasing. Even so, you’d be wrong to hold this view; the health benefits of straight teeth are real. If you were to fix your grin with braces or aligners, it’d make your whole body stronger and livelier. As for proof of these claims, here are some health-related perks to having straight teeth.

Braces are the tried-and-true method for correcting dental misalignments because they can effectively straighten even the most severely crooked smiles. This orthodontic treatment involves cementing metal brackets to the fronts of your teeth, which are threaded with an archwire with enough tension to pull them to their rightful places.

Although it’s a reliable method, the sharp corners and edges of the metallic components can rub raw spots in the tender tissues inside your mouth. Continue reading to learn more about why this happens and how to prevent it!

If your child’s orthodontist is recommending braces for their baby teeth, you might be a tad bit confused. After all, aren’t the baby teeth going to fall out anyway? Why waste time (and money) straightening them out?

This type of early orthodontic treatment is sometimes called “interceptive orthodontics.” As the name implies, it can “intercept” issues related to crooked pearly whites, reducing the need for a more complex treatment later in your child’s life. For more details about why baby teeth sometimes need braces, you’ll have to keep reading!

If you’re looking for a discreet treatment that can straighten your mildly to moderately overcrowded grin, you might benefit from Invisalign. This clear alternative to traditional braces utilizes transparent plastic trays that fit snuggly over your teeth to shift them rather than bulky metal brackets.

However, you must wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours daily, giving bacteria trapped between your teeth and your orthodontics plenty of time to flourish. You’ll need to clean your smile consistently to prevent problems like cavities and gum disease. Continue reading to learn more about how to keep your mouth clean with Invisalign!

Now that your orthodontic treatment is complete, your orthodontist will likely provide you with a retainer to wear to maintain your new smile. At first, you may need to wear it around the clock, but eventually you’ll likely only need to use it while you sleep. Still, protecting your retainer is very important, because if it’s not in good working condition, it can’t do its job. In that spirit, here are four important tips to make wearing and caring for your retainer a breeze!

It’s that time of year again – the season when everyone starts getting sick with colds and flus. These types of illnesses would make you feel icky on a normal day, but now you’re also wearing Invisalign aligners, and mucus and plastic trays don’t mix!

To give yourself the best possible chance of avoiding colds and flu, you’ll need some tips. Fortunately, you’re looking in the right place. Keep reading to learn how to keep germs far, far away from your Invisalign.

You like to know what to expect when it comes to your dental treatments, and who could blame you? Having a sense of how things will go is reassuring, and as far as your calendar is concerned, essential! With that being said, how long will an Invisalign treatment take? Weeks? Months? Years?

The truth is that it depends – but don’t worry. This post will go into the details!

Braces are the tried-and-true solution for addressing crooked teeth because they have a long history of successfully straightening smiles. They rely on a series of metal brackets bonded to your teeth threaded with a special archwire that exerts enough pressure to slowly shift everything into its proper place to enhance your appearance and improve your oral health.  

Although this treatment is incredibly effective, it does come with a few common challenges that patients must learn to navigate to avoid potential harm. Continue reading to learn about 3 issues you might experience with traditional orthodontics and how to handle them!