Everyone dreams of that Hollywood smile. Unfortunately, we can’t all be born with perfectly straight teeth. Braces are a good option for many people and the vast majority of people who need braces get them before they turn 18.
But what can you do if you’re an adult and have issues with the straightness of your teeth and what other options are out there?
Read more to see how you could get straight teeth Glasgow.
Disadvantages of Braces
Braces can straighten your teeth, but they also come with a lot of disadvantages, including;
Pain or Discomfort
Braces can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort, especially when they are first put on and when they are tightened.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Due to the pain and discomfort of the braces, this can cause some patients to neglect their oral hygiene more than they would. It can also be more difficult to brush teeth properly as the metal obscures the ability to be able to clean teeth properly. It takes a lot more effort to brush teeth as it did before braces and this can be off-putting for some people.
Need to Avoid Certain Foods
When you have braces you may need to avoid certain foods and drinks that could stain your teeth or get caught in the brace.
How to Straighten Your Teeth Without Braces
It’s understandable that you may not want braces, especially as an adult, luckily thanks to a development in teeth straightening technology it is now easier than ever to get straight teeth without braces.
Retainers
There are three main types of retainers. The most popular of which being the Hawley retainer. This device is made out of acrylic and metal wires and can be customised to fit the wearer’s mouth exactly. These retainers may be noticeable, but you are able to take them out to eat or brush your teeth. This puts you at less of a risk of developing tooth decay associated with wearing braces.
Appliances
These are generally used to straighten teeth by correcting issues and imperfections with the jaw that have contributed to the misalignment. The appliances tend to be conspicuous and it can take a fair bit of time for results to start to show.
Invisalign
Invisalign is similar to a retainer, only it is pretty much invisible. It is custom made and kind of resembles a clear mouth guard, which you can barely notice. These work discreetly to straighten your teeth quickly.
What to Do if You Want Straight Teeth Glasgow
If you’re looking for straight teeth Glasgow there are many options.
The NHS will usually cover people under the age of 18 to get braces for medical reasons, such as to fix their bite or straighten their teeth if they are bad enough. They will also sometimes cover people over the age of 18, if the reason is medical, and this is judged on a case to case basis.
If you are not eligible for free treatment but want to improve your smile, then it may be wise looking into going private. It will be more expensive but you won’t be put on a waiting list and potentially have to wait years for them.
