When you hear “braces” and the “orthodontist,” most people think about teenagers they know or their own teenage years. The fact is the age spectrum for good braces candidates is much wider than that.
Famous actors Fay Dunaway and Danny Glover each decided to get braces at age 61. If you are over age 50, braces could still be very beneficial for your smile. Dr. Norman Nagel, an orthodontist practicing in California for nearly 50 years, says braces for adults are quite common.
“Adult patients now consume 45-55 percent of our practice with many over 50 and a growing number over 70,” he said. “My oldest patient was 92. At this point in life, people see things changing in their mouth structure and their smile, so they decide to do something about it.”
Keep reading to learn why braces aren’t merely a cosmetic decision, the link between the mouth and oral health, potential pain if you pass on getting braces, and the multiple options you have to straighten teeth.
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