Is it worth fixing a wonky smile?
Most people do not have naturally perfectly straight teeth. People on TV and influencers have usually had their teeth professionally straightened, or they’ve had veneers fitted to achieve that perfect, bright white smile that they flash. As your smile is the first thing that most people will notice about you, it’s often one of the top things that many people would like to fix about themselves.
While a few wonky teeth might not be a massive cause for concern as they’re usually barely noticeable unless pointed out, we all notice our flaws much more compared to anybody else, and in some cases, correcting your smile with braces might be something that helps you improve your self-confidence and feel better about yourself. Overall, if your smile is bothering you, it can be worth fixing it.
Boost your self-esteem
The media and popular culture have led us all to believe that perfectly straight, white teeth are the standard to aim for – but that’s just not possible for so many people. Teeth aren’t naturally perfectly straight most of the time and must be corrected using braces or aligners to push them into the desired place.
Depending on your teeth and mouth, it’s also worth considering that even after having braces, your teeth might not be picture-perfect, but they will definitely be straight. Either way, if you have a few teeth that could be repositioned that you often feel self-conscious about, or you don’t like smiling with your teeth for photographs, getting braces can be an ideal way to improve your self-confidence and make you feel a whole lot better about yourself compared to before.
I used to be ashamed of my teeth
Improve your dental health and hygiene
Another reason why it’s worth considering fixing a wonky smile is that having braces can actually be great for your overall dental hygiene and health. When your teeth aren’t aligned correctly and you are dealing with issues such as some teeth overlapping the others, even slightly, it might become harder to brush and clean your teeth and give them all the attention that they deserve in your dental hygiene routine.
In addition, you’ll need to make sure that your teeth are healthy before you get braces fitted as they’re going to be moving, which can worsen any existing problems that have not been dealt with. If you have been putting off going to the dentist – we all do it – then getting braces could be the motivation that you need to get any dental health problems that you’re dealing with sorted out.
What to consider before getting braces
Since braces or aligners are usually your only option if you want to straighten your teeth, there are several things to consider before you get started including how much work needs doing on your teeth, your dental health, and which braces are the best option for you.
Get a consultation
You may want to consider having a consultation with an orthodontist before you get started to learn more about your teeth and which options might be ideal for you. When it comes to straightening your teeth, an orthodontist can give their informed opinion on how much work it’s likely to take, the results that are likely to be achievable, and whether or not you will need to have any teeth extracted first to get the smile you want.
Consider brace options
When it comes to straightening your teeth, there are two main brace options to consider – fixed and removable. Fixed braces can come in invisible options, so they are less noticeable in your mouth, but you cannot take them out. They are usually the best option for people with serious misalignment problems and anybody who needs teeth extracted first to make space for the others to move into.
On the other hand, if you don’t need to have a huge amount of work done and are only dealing with a couple of wonky teeth, clear braces might be ideal for you. These are removable and fit over the teeth to push them into place. Ideally, you should wear them as much as possible every day, but if this isn’t achievable you can get night time clear aligners that are designed to be worn when sleeping. Find out more about clear braces from ALIGNERCO with several options available for everybody’s needs. Whether you want braces to wear during the day or during the night, ALIGNERCO provides a range of options to suit everybody’s needs and smile goals.
Set your budget
Consider the cost of the braces overall when deciding which ones to go for. In some cases, depending on your teeth, bear in mind that you might be limited to the type of braces that are likely to work for you, but it’s always worth paying more to get the best results in this case. The amount that you pay will typically be calculated based on the type of braces that you need and the amount of time needed to complete the treatment. Many companies today offer monthly or quarterly payment plans that you can use to easily spread the cost of your braces, making it easier to manage.
Fix your dental health
Before getting braces fitted, it’s recommended that your dental health is in good shape since your teeth are going to be moving a lot and any issues like cavities are only going to be made worse as a result. Visit your dentist before ordering your braces to get a check-up and find out if any further work needs to be done before you can start straightening your teeth. It’s also worth getting your teeth professionally cleaned beforehand, especially if you are going to be getting fixed braces, which tend to make your teeth harder to keep clean at home.
What to expect from getting braces fitted
Whether you have fixed braces fitted or put in your aligners for the first time, you can expect some discomfort and perhaps mild pain as your teeth get used to having the braces or aligners on. The braces or aligners are designed to apply pressure to your teeth to move them into place, so feeling some pressure on the teeth is completely normal. You can take over-the-counter painkillers to make this easier to handle and avoid eating any hard foods for the first couple of days.
drinking young coconut water
Keeping your teeth straight
After completing the course of treatment with braces or aligners, bear in mind that your teeth might naturally start moving back to their original position. You will usually be provided with a retainer to wear to keep your teeth in the position that you have achieved through having the braces fitted.
Retainers are similar to aligners in that they are plastic molds of your teeth that you wear over them to prevent them from moving throughout the night. After completing your braces or aligners, be sure to wear your retainers every night for as long as possible to ensure that you maintain your results and keep your teeth straight.
Whether you’re dealing with serious misalignment or just a few teeth that are a little out of place, straightening a wonky smile is always worth considering, and it’s easier than ever with plenty of different options now available.
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