If you wore braces as a teenager, the last thing you want to hear is that you might have to wear adult braces—ideally, the results from dental braces in Houston last a lifetime. However, through age, wear and tear, and life circumstances, you may begin to see it is time to look at your options for braces. While alignment is something many take care of as adolescents, it is quite common for adults to need braces to fix alignment issues. At Lovett Dental Beaumont, we’d be happy to schedule a consultation and go over all the options available to you.
What Are the Signs that I Need Dental Braces Again?
If you notice any of the following five signs, it may be time to consider adult braces to realign your teeth and promote oral health:
- Crowding: If your teeth have become crowded, you may need braces to put them back in position. You can prevent overcrowding from recurring in adulthood by wearing a nightly retainer. Otherwise, teeth can move and shift over time.
- New Gaps: Teeth can also shift apart and leave gaps. If new gaps appear over time, getting adult braces can help straighten your teeth and put them back into the ideal positions. For example, if you have a well-aligned smile, your teeth do not overlap, and it’s easy to floss between them. However, wide gaps between your teeth can make you vulnerable to bacteria attracted to food particles.
- Gum Disease: Although gaps and crowding are the fastest way to identify problems with your dental alignment, gum disease may also indicate a serious health threat. When you have overcrowded teeth, new pockets form and fill with plaque and bacteria. You may have a hard time reaching these areas through normal flossing and brushing routines. If your gums begin to bleed or become sensitive, this may be a sign of early or advanced gum disease. Consult with your orthodontist on the best way to correct misaligned teeth to prevent further oral health issues.
- Jaw Pain: Most oral functions hinge on the jaw joint. If the joint becomes injured or compromised, you may experience jaw pain. Crooked teeth shift your bite and put additional pressure on the jaw joint. This can cause intermittent or chronic pain that diminishes your quality of life. If you have regular jaw pain, make an appointment with the orthodontist for a free consultation.
- Difficulty Chewing: Do you have difficulty chewing? This is another major sign that it’s time to consider adult braces. Shifting teeth impact your comfort when it comes to speaking or chewing. If your teeth don’t match up, you won’t have a consistent bite pattern. Shifting teeth make it harder to speak with ease. They also create an uneven bite, making it difficult to chew food or pronounce particular sounds.
Where to Find Adult Braces Options
You can start with a comprehensive dental examination with an orthodontist. Basically, you have three options:
- Do nothing and let your teeth remain crowded and prone to decay.
- Have the orthodontist fit you with ceramic or metal braces.
- Find out if you’re a good match for clear aligner traces.
Whatever you decide, it’s important to act quickly. The longer you delay taking action, the more likely you are to develop gum disease and other oral health issues.
Discover Your Options for Braces at Lovett Dental Beaumont
If you need assistance determining whether dental braces would work for you, our staff of experienced dentists can help. You may find it difficult to go back to wearing adult braces. However, keep your oral health top of mind when making your final decision. Contact Lovett Dental Beaumont at 409-924-8100 to schedule a consultation today.
