You may have gotten through your awkward years without braces, but it doesn’t mean you have perfect teeth already.

Adults also need braces for many reasons. Overbites, gaps in your teeth, sore jaws when chewing and headaches are some of the most obvious.

A nice smile doesn’t hurt either!

It’s never too late to get braces no matter what your age. Even if you practise excellent dental care as a child, you may still need braces as an adult since your teeth continue to move.

In this article, we will go over some things you need to know if you’re wondering if you need braces or not.

Braces vs Invisalign

Both braces and Invisalign do much the same thing but in different ways and with different pros and cons.

They both align your teeth for straighter teeth and nice smiles while also promoting better dental health.

The biggest differences are price and appearance.

Invisalign costs more than your average braces, though some braces can cost as much. Invisalign braces are clear so it is less obvious you are wearing them. Also, the benefit of using teeth aligners at home is that you don’t need to visit the dentist regularly to adjust them like braces.

These are probably best for adults looking for a discreet way to straighten their teeth as long as they are within your budget.

If you are in the UK and looking for Invisalign in Stoke on Trent or the area then check them out to see if they are right for you.

Do you really need them?

You may think that fixing crooked teeth is just for cosmetic reasons. The reality is that crooked teeth can create bigger problems beyond just having an embarrassing smile.

Teeth that are too close together prevent proper flossing and cavities can easily form. Crooked teeth cause wear and tear on your gums and jaw muscles which can make chewing painful.

If you have a severe overbite or underbite, then you risk getting malocclusion. This is when your jaw becomes misaligned and is very painful and can lead to myriad problems.

Do braces hurt for adults?

There is always going to be some discomfort for a while after getting braces. Even the Invisalign style will take some getting used to, even though they fit over your teeth.

You’ll also feel some discomfort every time you go to the orthodontist to have the braces adjusted which is usually once a month.

That in itself shouldn’t be painful at all, but more annoying than anything. If your braces are causing cuts to the inside of your mouth then that means that a wire is loose somewhere and does need to be taken care of. Your braces should never do that ordinarily and is not normal.

There is an orthodontic wax you can use to cover the braces so they don’t irritate your mouth.

And eating soft food for the first weeks of having braces will help you avoid more discomfort than you should. Stick to eggs, yogurt, pasta and soups and avoid things like steak and anything you have to use a lot of force to chew.

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