Dental problems, crooked teeth, and misalignment aren’t just issues facing children and teens. As you get older, your teeth can shift in your mouth, you can experience dental problems or accidents, injuries, and illnesses that impact your oral health.
And for some people, the sudden change in their teeth or the increased progression of minor issues can be worrying. But as an adult, you can opt for aligners that can help you rectify your teeth and get you that straight smile back and boost your confidence in one fell swoop.
And if you’re concerned about the appearance of wearing aligners as an adult, fear not, modern clear aligners are discreet options that fit your life perfectly.
But how do you know if you need aligners or not before you book that appointment? Let’s take a look.
Visibly Crooked Teeth
Malocclusion (when your teeth don’t line up) can happen at any age. It’s a natural occurrence — some people experience more movement than others. This can happen even if you had perfectly straight teeth before. Possible reasons for malocclusion include injury, tongue thrust, or natural growth. Even the slightest change can benefit from wearing aligners to fix the change and straighten your teeth again.
You Can’t Articulate Words Correctly
A 2016 study published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics found that overbites or malocclusions can affect pronunciation. If you’re having trouble with your words or your speech isn’t right, and you don’t know why, it could be due to the position of your teeth. And if you need to speak in public or you’re reliant on verbal communication in your personal or work life, this can be a bigger problem than you might realize. Talk to your dentist about whether or not aligners can help you out with this problem.
You Don’t Like Smiling
And not because you don’t like people or you’re depressed, but because when you smile, it exposes your mouth, and that’s something you actively avoid at all costs. Refusing to smile, grimacing instead of smiling, putting your hand over your mouth, or turning away are all signs that you aren’t happy with your mouth.
Whether it’s missing teeth or an overcrowded mouth that’s bugging you, orthodontic treatments are available. And in time, these tools and treatments will help you overcome dental problems and give you your smile back so you’re not that one person in the family photo looking like they’re not able or willing to crack a smile.
You Have Difficulty Cleaning Your Teeth
If you’re struggling to keep on top of your oral health, it’s time to get some help. When you have crowded teeth, for example, maintaining oral hygiene can be somewhat of an issue.
Food might get stuck in your teeth between meals. Plaque can build up in those areas you’re struggling to reach. Investing in your oral health by getting adult braces helps you remove this and preserve your dental health. Because once your teeth are straightened, cleaning becomes so much easier.