How to know if you need braces
Braces are commonly used to straighten teeth that aren’t in alignment.
If you or your child need braces, the process can be expensive, time-consuming, and inconvenient. But corrective dental braces do have a high rate of success, and they leave you with oral health benefits that go beyond a perfect smile.
Braces are most often prescribed during childhood or early adolescence. Adults are also getting braces more frequently. In fact, 20 percent of people with braces today are adults.
If you believe you or a family member could benefit from braces, it’s better to know sooner rather than later. This article will cover the signs that can indicate a person needs braces, as well as info that will help you decide on next steps.
Signs you need braces
The signs that an adult needs braces can vary according to age and overall dental health.
Adult braces are becoming increasingly common, and outcomes from adult braces are mostly positive.
A 1998 survey concluded that needing braces is more common than not needing them, estimating that only 35 percentTrusted Source of adults have properly aligned teeth.
Symptoms that can indicate you need braces include:
teeth that are visibly crooked or crowded
difficulty flossing between and brushing around crooked teeth
frequently biting your tongue or cutting your tongue on your teeth
teeth that don’t close over each other properly when your mouth is at rest
difficulty pronouncing certain sounds due to your tongue’s position under your teeth
jaws that click or make noises when you chew or first wake up
stress or fatigue on your jawline after chewing food
