Growing up you must have seen children or teenagers wearing braces, and you may have heard that they can help to straighten the teeth.
However, most recently, we have seen adults wear braces as well.
Many still wonder if they really work, and if the investment in time and money is worth it.
In this post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about braces and include before and after results that prove braces do work. If you have been considering getting one for yourself, this post contains all the proof you need to go for it.
Braces are dental devices used worn to correct a variety of dental issues such as:
Braces are NOT only for children or teens. Adults braces have become common too. In fact, 1 in 4 people that wear braces is an adult. Braces help to move and straighten your teeth regardless of age, and prevent any dental issues that might arise if left untreated.
There are 2 major reasons people may need braces:
Both reasons are actually interwoven.
You might need braces if your teeth are visibly crowded or crooked, and if your jaw is misaligned.
As you get older, your teeth will continue to shift into adulthood. For some people, this can result in misaligned teeth and other dental issues such as:
Even if you don’t have health issues from misaligned teeth, you may be unhappy with your teeth and need to wear braces to improve your smile. No one can turn down the confidence and assurance that comes from a beautiful smile and “perfect” teeth.
Get a better jawline in just 28 days
Get rid of a double chin and get an attractive jawline with a daily mewing workout
Braces work by applying mild consistent pressure to shift your teeth into proper position over a period of time. It’s difficult to imagine that our teeth can shift because most people think the teeth are connected to the jawline. This is not the case.
Underneath your jaw, your bone surrounds a membrane that roots your teeth to your jaw.
When you wear braces, this membrane is what is put under pressure to properly align your teeth. However, the exact way this happens will depend on the type of braces you wear.
There are a lot of different types of braces that you can try.
In this section, you’ll discover the pros & cons of most common brace types, so you can pick the one that will suit you the most.
These are the most common types of braces. Metal braces are made of steel bands, brackets, and wires that help to shift your teeth into the right position after some time.
Source: Georgian Dental
The metal brackets are placed on each tooth, then a thin flexible wire (or archwire) is placed over the brackets. Ligatures are tiny elastic bands that help to keep the wires in place.
Metal braces are less expensive compared to other types, and they are visible when you smile.
These are just like metal braces. The only difference is that they are clear or tooth-colored. So, they blend in with your smile and are less visible.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
These braces are placed on the back of the teeth instead of the front.
They work like traditional braces, however, they can be uncomfortable, and take a long time compared to classic braces before you see results.
Source: Profile Orthodontics
These braces alternatives use a custom-made tray that resembles a mouth guard to correct your teeth. Invisalign® and ClearCorrect® are some of the most popular brands.
You wear a set for 2 weeks and have to swap them out for the next set.
Source: Shay Dental
You can remove them when you need to:
However, they must be worn for at least 22 hours each day – which can be super-difficult to manage.
Braces shouldn’t hurt when you have them on.
You might experience some soreness for a few days the first time you get them installed, and each time you go to have them adjusted.
However, this is more like a dull throbbing pain, and not a sharp pain.
Soreness usually wears off after a few days. Use over-the-counter pain relievers to help with the soreness if needed. Contact your orthodontist if you experience a lot of pain.
Braces work for adults the same way they do for children. The only difference is that it takes longer to fix bite and alignment issues in adults.
This is because the teeth and jaw are fully formed by adulthood.
Source: Delurgio orthodontics
Source: BBC UK
This will differ based on the complexity of the dental issue, and patient compliance.
For mild to moderate issues, say teeth crowding or spacing, 6-8 months might be enough to correct the issue. More complex teeth misalignment could take 12-18 months.
If you’re always taking out your braces, it may also increase the time it takes for you to see results.
Mewing: x10 Your Looks
✓ Get an attractive jawline
✓ Boost your self-confidence
✓ All techniques in a one app
Braces can transform not only the appearance of your smile but also improve your overall dental health by correcting a range of issues, from misaligned teeth to overbites and underbites
When your jaw is misaligned, this can lead to bite problems such as:
These bite issues may make your jawline uneven, or protrude at an angle. For instance, if you have an underbite your jaw will extend outward because your bottom teeth extend over the top teeth.
Wearing braces can fix bite problems, giving you an aligned and sculpted jaw.
When your teeth are overcrowded, have gaps, or are crooked, this can make your face asymmetrical. One part of your face may be hanging lower than the other, or your lips might not lock even when your mouth is closed.
When you wear braces, and as your bite and teeth are aligned, your face shape is going to change and symmetry will return.
Crooked, crowded, or gap teeth can alter your smile.
People with this type of teeth may have insecurities, and low-self esteem and tend to smile less.
In the same way, when you have a bad bite, your top, and bottom teeth may not touch as they should. Over time, this can lead to health issues including:
Wearing braces can help correct these teeth issues, by moving your teeth into the proper position. Watch your confidence soar when you can give a perfect smile showing your perfect teeth.
Additionally, it would prevent dental and other health problems that can stem from having a bad bite.
Everything you need for mewing in one app:
1. Learn the correct technique
2. Make it a habit
3.Track your progress
When you have gaps between your teeth, they can have harmful effects on your teeth and mouth in general. Some people only have one gap often between the top front teeth, while others may have gaps scattered around the teeth.
Gaps can cause bite problems, and make you feel conscious about your smile or facial appearance.
Braces can close gaps in your teeth by applying pressure to bring the teeth closer to each other. This can help prevent dental issues and improve your confidence.
The fullness of your lips is determined by the forward position and alignment of your front teeth. If you have an open bite, for instance, you may find it difficult to close your mouth. This can stretch your lips and make them appear thinner.
When you wear braces after some time, you’d notice that the shape of your lips may change as your front teeth move into a better position. This will improve the structure of your lips, and leave them fuller and more beautiful.
Braces can work wonders for straightening misaligned teeth and jaw. From restoring your smile to giving you a more sculpted jawline and facial appearance, it offers an excellent choice if you’re looking to correct your teeth alignment.
But, if you want to see faster results with braces, you can complement it with mewing. Mewing is a technique that places the tongue in its natural position when the mouth is closed - against the roof and behind the front teeth.
Mewing helps to fix teeth alignment issues and gives a more sculpted jawline and facial appearance.
Can you mew with braces on? Yes, provided your braces do not get in the way. Whether you mew with your braces on or off, it’s important to mew the right way.
This is where our Mewing app can help. Find step-by-step guides that show you how to mew properly. Set up daily reminders to keep yourself on track, and use the app to track your progress.
With over 100k+ users, we can help you (alongside your braces) to restore your smile and confidence in a short time. Get started, download the Mewing app today.
