Good Dental Health – Orthodontic Treatment Contributes To Good Dental Health For Adults

Like the millions of adults who have already completed orthodontic treatment, the current one million adult orthodontic patients in the U.S. and Canada are looking forward to improved dental health and beautiful smiles.

September is Adult Oral Health Awareness Month, and the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) wants adults to know that orthodontic treatment can help them achieve good dental health. Age need not be a consideration in orthodontic treatment; healthy teeth can be moved at almost any age.

People want their teeth to stay healthy as long as they live, says Dr. Nahid Maleki, a Washington, D.C. orthodontist and member of the AAO, who says that 30 percent of her patients are adults.

With longer life expectancies than previous generations, and a greater awareness among adults that teeth can last a lifetime, today’s adults are taking better care of their teeth, as evidenced by a survey released by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. It revealed that the rate of toothlessness among people ages 55-64 has dropped 60 percent since 1960.

Plaque is the Problem - Plaque—a colorless, sticky film of bacteria, food particles and saliva that constantly forms in the mouth—is difficult to remove effectively from improperly aligned teeth. Plaque feeds on sugars and starches to form an acid that endangers teeth and gums. However, orthodontic treatment makes plaque removal easier because misalignment is eliminated and the likelihood that teeth will last for a lifetime is increased.

Questions? Ask an Orthodontist - Orthodontists are uniquely qualified specialists who correct improperly aligned teeth and jaws. The American Dental Association requires orthodontists to have at least two academic years of advanced specialty training in orthodontics in a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the ADA, following graduation from a three-to-five year dental school program.

One in five orthodontic patients today is an adult, so orthodontists are familiar with adults’ concerns and potential special needs. For example, if an adult patient has gum disease, or is in need of fillings or other restorations, the orthodontist will work with the patient’s dentist and other dental specialists, as needed, to bring the patient to optimal dental health.

Today’s braces are smaller and less noticeable, so adults need not be concerned about how they will look in braces. Some patients, like film star Tom Cruise, may choose tooth-colored braces. Others may opt for gold-colored brackets and wires as they proudly announce their orthodontic treatment to the world. In any case, orthodontists are happy to answer the questions that people considering orthodontic treatment may have.

Orthodontic Treatment is Affordable - Patients may be pleasantly surprised to learn how affordable orthodontic treatment is today. Orthodontists offer a variety of payment plans and are happy to work with a patient to arrive at a payment plan that works within their budget. Many dental insurance plans now provide orthodontic benefits as well.

A healthy, beautiful smile is as important at age 60 as it is at age 16. And orthodontists are the dental specialists who have the training and expertise to help patients, regardless of their ages, to attain properly aligned teeth and jaws, and, accordingly, good dental health. Other noteworthy scribbles, l@@k how to brush your teeth....for additional related info!

Author Notes:

Renee LaRose contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com.  Everything you need to know to get a whiter, brighter smile!