An increasing number of older people are turning to braces for both cosmetic and medical reasons. Find out why braces are becoming a favourite accessory.

Many famous individuals have worn braces as adults. Gwen Stefani, Diana Ross, Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz and Whoopi Goldberg all sported a metal smile during adulthood, often while they were working on films and other projects. Whoopi Goldberg even dated her orthodontist!

Despite the number of celebrity smiles that have been tweaked using braces, lots of people are still very apprehensive when it comes to the prospect of having their teeth straightened. Some individuals worry that they will be mistaken for a teenager while others think that they won’t be taken seriously at work or that no one will find them attractive.

However, the benefits of having braces far outweigh the small amount of negative aspects. Plus, if brace wearers follow a few simple rules, they will barely know that they are wearing them.

The Benefits of Straightening Teeth

There are a host of good reasons for investing in a healthier, straighter smile. Uneven teeth will affect the ability to bite, chew and speak properly. On top of this, unhealthy gums and teeth usually go hand in hand with teeth that aren’t straight. Other health problems, such as a clicking jaw, can also result from teeth not being quite where they should be.

Then there is the psychological impact of having once crooked teeth straightened out. A perfectly aligned, gleaming grin can boost self-esteem levels and turn a once reserved individual into the life and soul of the party.

The Wonder of Invisible Braces

As popular as the now infamous Ugly Betty is, there is now no longer any need to wear the traditional shiny metal ‘train tracks’ that were so popular when the adults of today were at school. The braces of today are discreet and inconspicuous.

For example, adults can now choose to wear the highly popular ‘Invisalign’ braces. Invisalign is a series of clear, removable plastic aligners that are custom made for each person's teeth. They are much more comfortable than traditional braces as there are no wires or brackets. They are also much more convenient than the fixed metal braces as it is possible to take them out while eating and for cleaning.

Braces with clear or white brackets are another good choice. Unlike Invisalign, these kinds of braces are fixed to the teeth. However, once they are on they are extremely unobtrusive. These braces have an added advantage in that they tend to move the teeth quicker and more effectively than the Invisalign braces. In general, the Invisalign braces are better suited for people with very minor orthodontic problems while the clear or white fixed braces are more appropriate for longer term treatments.

Caring for Braces

The duration of the orthodontic treatment will pass by much quicker and with much fewer hassles if the braces are taken care of. This should involve keeping up a rigorous cleaning routine which should include brushing the gums with a soft brush, cleaning between the wires with a special orthodontic brush and flossing at least once a day.

In addition to keeping their mouth squeaky clean, adults will have to pay close attention to what they eat. Very hard and sticky foods, as well as anything with the potential to get stuck in the braces, can not be consumed while braces are fitted. Toffee, nuts, crusty bread and hard, crunchy muesli bars will all be off the menu. Fortunately, even though those foods on the ‘very risky’ list should be avoided, if individuals are very careful, they will still be able to eat most of the foods that they enjoyed before they went on their quest for better teeth. Chocolate can be left to melt on the tongue and, if small bites are taken, even corn on the cob can be managed.

Living with Braces

One thing that a lot of adults facing orthodontic treatment fret about is whether braces will fit in with their busy lifestyle. How will their love life be affected? How will they cope going to a friend’s for dinner and being served a plate of un-brace-friendly spaghetti? How will they be able to stride confidently into business meetings without feeling self-conscious?

There is a way to deal with all these issues and worries. Partners will soon adjust to being romantic while their other half is wearing braces. After a few months of wearing braces, both parties will forget that they are even wearing them.

Dinner parties and meals out can also be dealt with. When faced with a difficult meal, such as the aforementioned spaghetti, brace wearers should just take extra care with how they eat it. A good tactic is to place each forkful right in the middle of the mouth and to chew thoroughly before swallowing. A big gulp of water, after eating, will dislodge any stray bits of food that may have been left behind. As an extra precaution, a travel-sized toothbrush can be carried to enable a quick dash to the bathroom for a brush should it be needed.

As for the business meetings...Well, adult brace wearers should keep their heads up high, walk confidently into the meeting room, even if they have to fake it initially, and flash everybody a big smile. After all, people who have opted for braces are making the effort to improve both your health and appearance and that is something that you should not be ashamed of, under any circumstances.

More information and support for adult brace wearers or people considering orthodontic work can be found at the online community, Archwired. Further advice on discreet adult orthodontic work can be read in this article on 'Tooth Movement without Braces'.