Braces at 50: what you should know

Category: Braces · 10 April 2019

A steadily growing number of adults are opting for braces long after the bloom of youth – and not just for cosmetic reasons. Perhaps it’s down to celebrities such as Faye Dunaway and Danny Glover, who had braces fitted at the age of 61.

But celebrity culture isn’t the only reason: crooked teeth can become a health problem. This article looks at various health aspects and shows the solution: different types of braces or invisible aligners.

Braces at 50: not just cosmetic

The body is constantly changing. But beyond 50, these changes become noticeable, and many people notice that the structure of their mouth is changing. The teeth wear down from chewing. Bone loss in the jaw can push the teeth inwards and may affect the way we speak.

So crooked teeth and malocclusions aren’t just a cosmetic problem. They are associated with an increased risk of tooth decay, enamel erosion, inflammation at the necks of the teeth, tooth and bone loss, as well as headaches and jaw joint pain.

Why?

Crooked teeth are harder to clean, which means more plaque forms. This can lead to inflammation in the mouth.

When a malocclusion causes pain

About half of all adult patients who come to our practice are no longer happy with the way their teeth look.
The other half are referred by their dentist because of problems.

Interest in braces at 50 is often sparked when a patient learns that braces can improve not only their smile but also their health.

According to this study from 2011, it is precisely these malocclusions that compel adults to undergo orthodontic treatment. Patients with a deep bite, in which the upper teeth completely cover the lower teeth, almost always have problems with the jaw joint, which connects the jawbone to the skull. This one-sided bite pushes the lower jaw back:

A closed bite/deep bite can also wear the teeth down unevenly and damage the surrounding jawbone: when you chew, the pressure increases. An adult patient who has lived with such a bite for 50 or 60 years has probably got used to this trauma, but often suffers from muscle pain, joint pain and headaches.

Once we correct the bite with braces, the pain usually disappears too.

The link between the mouth and health

Orthodontic treatment can restore the function and health of the mouth. This can have positive effects on the whole body.

The oral cavity is like a window onto your general health. Based on current research, we have learned that inflammation in the gum tissue (or in the oral cavity) can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

If the orthodontist can heal inflammation in the body thanks to a healthy tooth and jaw structure, that’s a gain for your overall physical health, not just your mouth.

Braces 50+: when your teeth no longer feel right

For some people, the thought of having to wear braces at 50 is very uncomfortable. This is partly because it’s usually children and teenagers who have to put up with metal wires in their mouths.

However, once patients are shown that long-term health problems won’t go away but will only get worse over time, most decide to go ahead with treatment with braces. The sometimes short treatment time is usually the first piece of good news for the patient.

The second piece of good news is that today we have far more treatment options than were available when our patients were young.

Modern braces gently move the teeth or jaw into position. They are lighter, more affordable and more discreet than ever before.

And these are the options for braces at 50:

1. Classic braces with brackets and wire

In this classic version, brackets are bonded to the front of the teeth and connected with a wire. They are still considered the standard because they are effective and affordable.

2. Ceramic braces

These braces are also attached to the front of the teeth, but they are transparent and blend in with the colour of the teeth. They are usually only fitted to the upper row of teeth.

3. Lingual braces

These braces for adults are attached to the inside of the teeth, which makes them almost invisible. Some patients find they affect how speaking feels: you first have to get used to your tongue touching the wires.

4. Aligners

Invisible aligners are particularly popular with adults who don’t want wires and brackets. They are removable, custom-made plastic aligners that slip over the teeth. You need to wear them for between 20 and 22 hours a day and can take them out to eat and to clean your teeth. Aligners are changed every two weeks and are mainly used for patients with less severe issues.

Anyone who wants to close larger gaps should consider one of the first options. Aligners are designed more to gently push teeth into shape.

As a rule, adults wear braces for between 18 and 26 months. Aligners are adjusted every few weeks, the classic types of braces less often.

Treatment at any age?

Can a patient undergo treatment at any age?

As long as the gums and jawbone structure are in good condition, it’s never too late to wear braces.

Conclusion: braces at 50 can mean a better quality of life

For many people over 50, orthodontic treatment can bring quality of life back into everyday life if there is a dental problem. Anyone who suffers from headaches or jaw joint pain should see their dentist or orthodontist.

The human body is constantly changing. Just because your teeth weren’t crooked and there was no orthodontic problem five years ago doesn’t mean the same is true today. A quick check-up with an orthodontist can bring relief in the short term and even solve health problems that have existed for decades.

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