I am sooooo excited because I’m about to turn 56 years old next week and my braces are coming off – wait, what?!? Really?!?
Like I have mentioned before in previous blogs, I do almost everything backwards (smile) so its’s only fitting that I would be sporting braces during my middle aged years (double smile).
As it turns out, I am in good company…
As a matter of fact, more and more Adults are sporting clear braces (or Invisalign) now than ever before. In most cases Adults are comprising up to 50 percent of Ortho patients today! And, according to the American Association of Orthodontics, any age is the right age for ortho care.
By the way, insurance usually does not cover orthodontics for adults over the age of 25…I found that one out the hard way…
However the good news for me was that my braces are light and clear, unlike back in the day when they were heavy metal. Eeeck!
And I’m proud to say that I only have 8 of them – all on my upper teeth – (4 on each side) which is what my orthodontist suggested.
So here are the top 2 reasons why I decided to get braces (besides my regular dentist, Alan Friedler, DMD recommending them):
- Looking to close the gap between my two front teeth
- Looking to decrease my overbite.
My Orthodontist told me it would take up to one year to achieve these goals so I figured: ‘I’m not getting any younger’ and ‘Now is as good a time as any…’ (smile).
Here are some helpful tips if you are an Adult considering braces:
Daily Maintenance:
Good news: you may brush with an electric toothbrush – it doesn’t get in the way of the braces at all.
You need to rinse out your mouth and brush after each and every meal.
You need to floss daily and often…
You need to use the wax they give you in your “kit” on a regular basis to keep the wire from the braces from cutting into your cheeks.
Monthly Maintenance:
You have to make appointments to visit the Orthodontist at least once a month for check-up and tightening – look for an orthodontist that first of all comes highly recommended and secondly is convenient to where you live and/or work as those 4 week visits come up rather quickly!
Watch what you eat:
Here’s what I truly enjoy eating but have a tough time with now:
- Sushi
- Pizza
- Grilled Chicken
- Steak
- Popcorn
Here are foods the Orthodontist recommends you eat with braces:
- Dairy – pudding and soft cheeses
- Bread – sliced lunch bread, soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins
- Grains – pasta, noodles, soft cooked rice
- Meats/poultry – soft cooked chicken, meatballs, luncheon meats
- Seafood – fish without bones, tuna, salmon, crab and crab cakes
Cost:
It cost me around $3700 but again that was just for a total of 8 braces on my upper teeth…most Ortho offices do offer monthly payment plans which helps…
Post Braces:
When my clear braces are removed next week I have to wear a thin wire removable retainer for up to 8 weeks (full-time) and then another 4 weeks (part-time).
That brings me smack into Summer – free of braces and ready for my next adventure~ Yay!