by Anita Ginsburg
As you move into the golden years, there is no good reason why you can’t take care of your appearance, including maintaining your bright, healthy smile.
Of course, no older adult is likely to be keen on having a mouth full of metal. That’s where Invisalign comes in. This is an “invisible” (as the name suggests) set of braces made to fit your mouth perfectly by using advanced technology.
Here is what that you need to know about Invisalign for older adults and how it can improve your smile at any age.
It’s Not Noticeable
Unfortunately, there is still a bit of a social stigma surrounding braces, despite their immense benefits for restoring and protecting dental health. Many people don’t want to turn to braces because they don’t want people to see them with braces. Older adults (and dental patients of all ages) appreciate Invisalign because of its discreet nature. Likely, no one will ever know that you have braces unless you decide to make it known to them.
Teeth Can Be Repositioned at Any Age
An old wives’ tale that still holds some sway among the population is that misalignment in the teeth can only be corrected in adolescence or early adulthood. The idea is that, as we age, our capacity for change declines, including the possibility of rearranging crooked or poorly positioned teeth.
This is not true. Invisalign treatment can permanently correct issues with alignment to keep your teeth looking superb throughout your retirement.
The Importance of Good Oral Health for Overall Health
Dental health is directly tied to overall health. Accordingly, when your dental health suffers, so does your overall health. For example, untreated periodontitis, or gum disease, increases your risk of heart attack, a serious health concern and leading cause of death among older people.
Correcting tooth misalignment through Invisalign helps protect gum health, in turn protecting your overall health and reducing the risk of health emergencies.
Seniors Are More Responsible
Invisalign needs to be worn for 22 hours each day. While teenagers are often more prone to skipping their dentist’s instructions regarding the proper care of their braces, most older adults who receive the Invisalign treatment are much more diligent about sticking to their care regimen for an ideal outcome.
It may very well be that, although you might have been a bit too carefree in your youth to take good care of your Invisalign braces, you developed better habits as you aged, making you a perfect candidate for Invisalign braces.
Don’t let anyone (including yourself) talk you out of getting smile enhancing Invisalign just because you are entering your golden years. Your oral health is important, and it’s never too late to start taking care of your teeth.