6 Reasons to Say No to Metal Braces

If you’re an adult who needs to straighten your smile, you may assume that metal braces are your orthodontic treatment of choice. After all, millions of teenagers have corrected their bites with this option.

Yet you may not realise all that’s involved when you choose this orthodontic treatment. Not only are metal braces an unnecessary throwback to the 1970s and 80s, but they can create a number of complications….Especially for adults.

Thankfully, you don’t have to experience these drawbacks thanks to modern, convenient alternatives over metal braces. However, if you’re still wondering which orthodontic treatment to choose, you’ll want to read these Six Reasons to Say No to Metal Braces before you make a decision.

1. Metal braces are distracting.

The old adage says that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Now think back to a professional or social event when you met an adult with metal braces.

While that person may have impressed you with their wit or presentation skills later on, odds are that the first thing you noticed was their metal-covered teeth. For better or worse, seeing an adult with metal braces often makes a distracting first impression.

In addition, many people find that they have trouble with their enunciation while wearing metal braces.

Whether you are greeting a prospective client at the office or a prospective romantic partner at the pub, you don’t want people’s first impression of you to be your metal braces.

2. Cleaning metal braces wastes precious time.

When you choose metal braces, you’ll have to endure metal brackets permanently affixed to each tooth, connected by metal wiring. The end result is a lot like wearing a fence around your smile.

Unfortunately, this metal fence can hold food particles against your teeth. At the same time, the metal braces will prevent your toothbrush from easily brushing your teeth.

This double drawback necessitates quite a bit of extra care. Patients with metal braces need specialized tools such as waxed floss with a threader or a water irrigation system. The daily task of cleaning your teeth can become a regular chore of brushing, picking and flossing frustration as you attempt to remove bits of food stuck in your braces.

3. Metal braces can cause tooth decay.

Even with fastidious, regular cleaning, metal braces can contribute to tooth decay.

When your braces cause your food to stick against your teeth for long periods of time this can cause demineralisation, a condition in which the enamel of the tooth is weakened. This weakening can lead to white stains on the teeth and eventually to cavities.

To make matters worse, getting a cavity while you have metal braces is a tricky issue. Since the cavity will likely have formed near one of the brackets or behind a wire (the most difficult areas to clean), they will have to be removed before the cavity can be cleaned and filled.

4. Metal braces are inconvenient.

In order to properly reposition your teeth, metal braces must be adjusted regularly. You can ask anyone who has had braces: adjustments are a time-consuming and uncomfortable process of tightening the wires.

With metal braces, you can expect to have your braces tightened every 4-6 weeks. The adjustments are spaced out because the process is manual and takes time. Unfortunately, because it’s so long between visits, the orthodontist must tighten the braces enough to last until the next appointment.

5. Metal braces put some foods off limits.

Patients who have metal braces are constantly having to evaluate whether foods are on their “do not eat” list..

Some foods can cause your braces to become too difficult to clean. Say goodbye to chewing gum and caramel and the like if you opt for metal braces.

There are also entire categories of foods that should be avoided because they can damage the wires or brackets. These include…

• Pizza crust.
• Carrots.
• Nuts.
• Crunchy apples.
• Hard shell tacos.
• Maize (Indian corn).

6. Metal braces create a photo-op dilemma.

To smile or not to smile: that is the question patients with metal braces have to ask themselves whenever someone wants a picture. Your options will be to share your metal mouth with all of posterity or to go down in history with pursed lips.

The good news is that you have other options for straightening your teeth. With Invisalign, you can enjoy a benefit for each drawback you’ll experience with metal braces.

When you straighten your teeth with Invisalign’s clear aligners, you’ll…

• Feel confident that the focus will be on you—not your mouth full of metal.
• Get a fully clean and fresh mouth by simply removing your aligners to brush and floss!
• Easily keep your teeth, gums and mouth clean and healthy.
• Avoid long, uncomfortable adjustments every couple of months. Invisalign patients simply change to a new aligner every week.
• Eat what you want. Simply remove the aligner for meals and snacks, and enjoy the foods you love!
• Take that selfie with satisfaction. Invisalign clear aligners are nearly impossible to notice in person, much less on camera. If you’re going to be investing in your smile, share it with pleasure and confidence!

You can say no to metal braces and still say an emphatic yes! to a beautiful and healthy smile with Invisalign.

To get started, simply book your free, no-obligation consultation at a MiSmile provider near you.