People who have alignment problems with their teeth address them usually between teenage and young-adult years. However, the prospect of teeth straightening becomes seemingly less necessary as people approach middle age.
It might be possible that they no longer feel any pressing value for straighter teeth. That might be because they rely on the durability of the dental alignment they had many years ago. However, it might come as a rude awakening to find out later that their teeth have all drifted forward and do not look as good as before.
Aging is not Teeth-friendly
This fact becomes more evident as we grow older. Almost everything starts to deteriorate from our late 30s to early 40s. The same reason is why our teeth start shifting. The whole support structure that keeps the teeth in place gradually grows weaker as we age. That structure includes the bones, ligaments, muscles, and tissues in and around the mouth.
There are additional factors that can contribute to the decline of the support structure. A diet that is low in Vitamin D could lead to weaker bones, for example. Likewise, poor oral care habits would hasten the deterioration of both the conditions of the teeth and their support structures.
Teeth Problems Become Worse
The alignment of the teeth could go from bad to worse if it is not addressed promptly. As teeth continue to move forward, they eventually bunch up on the front of the jaw, which causes difficulties in biting. Chewing will be affected as well due to the space left by shifting teeth at the rear portions of the jaw.
Misaligned teeth would not only affect eating. It would also become challenging to clean them properly. While brushing, you would not be able to access many portions of the teeth, and flossing would be nearly impossible. This situation would speed up tartar growth and lead to eventual cavities and tooth decay.
The Solution
It is evident that teeth straightening solutions are also relevant for adults over 70 years of age. This scenario is as realistic as it is idealistic to have teeth realignment during childhood. However, most adults would rather dodge the possibility of being seen with shiny wires and brackets on their teeth.
The good news is that there are now adult-friendly alternatives other than the traditional metal or fixed braces. The most popular of these options are ‘invisible’ orthodontic aligners. They provide the same solution of moving and realigning the teeth through a removable clear plastic tray.
Do ‘Invisible’ Aligners Work?
Yes, and they are as effective as traditional braces. You must wear them as a consecutive series of aligners to maximize their effectiveness.
Once you start, you must wear one for twenty hours each day for two weeks. You would then receive a new aligner that corresponds to the slight changes made by the previous one. Each succeeding aligner would then continue working on straightening your teeth, which could last between six months to two or three years.
The need for teeth straightening solutions is, thus, always relevant. Some would value these solutions for their ability to put an end to many, if not all, dental problems. Others would have their teeth realigned for a more beautiful and confident smile. Either way, you get to enjoy both sides of the benefits, even as you age.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
