Why more adults are turning to orthodontic procedures
Are you self-conscious about your smile? You can take at least some comfort from the fact that you’re far from alone. In January, research cited by the Mirror revealed that half of Britons disliked their smile, while many even blamed their teeth’s condition for woes both personal and at work.
One of the biggest culprits for this lack of confidence was found to be the scourge of crooked teeth. This issue can be corrected with orthodontic procedures, to which adults are increasingly drawn.
Teeth are one of life’s leading stressors
Many of us can feel depressed and frustrated about our finances or relationships, but not far behind both in the list of stressors are… our teeth. According to the research mentioned above, a fifth of Brits deem their teeth even more confidence-wrecking than their physique, wrinkles or hair.
With many of the study’s participants having admitted to feeling self-conscious about smiling or laughing, they risk being perceived as “miserable” or “rude” by their peers.
Adults often prioritise their kids’ dental health over their own
If you and your offspring are suffering from identical malocclusions, orthodontic treatment can rectify these issues, but your budget might not stretch to having both treated at once. In this situation, you are very likely to arrange for your child’s problem to be solved first.
This widespread and “incredibly admirable” stance highlighted in a DentistryIQ piece helps to explain the stereotype that orthodontics remains just for young people, but that image is changing…
Adults are getting the money necessary for their own treatment
While many adults admirably opt to postpone their own orthodontic treatment in favour of having their children catered for first, more and more adults are now getting their turn.
This development can be largely attributed to the increasing amount of discretionary income that these adults are receiving as they progress in their careers and their kids fly the nest. Therefore, the adults can afford to invest in what they long considered a “want” rather than a “need”.
Adult teeth are remaining intact for longer
If orthodontic treatment has often been deemed a luxury instead of a necessity, this wouldn’t be the only reason why it might have once been regarded as a waste of money.
Whereas adults once generally anticipated losing their teeth by the age of 60, education about preventative care of teeth has led to them lasting longer in the mouth. As a result, arranging for those teeth to be straightened can now be thought a valuable long-term investment.
Many different orthodontic options are available
Once, the word “orthodontic” might have brought to mind unsightly braces. However, this is now an outmoded view of orthodontics – which, in 2019, lets you choose much less conspicuous correction methods, including invisible braces like Invisalign.
Healthline dubs Invisalign the “dominant brand” of “clear, removable retainers that gradually corral the teeth into a straighter smile.” The convenience of this treatment – and others like hidden lingual braces – is evident even just with the orthodontics in London, the UK capital.