A beautiful smile contributes a lot to great first impressions — and your own self-confidence. But say you’re not happy with your teeth: maybe over the years, they’ve become crooked, or they’re starting to give you grief when it comes to chewing, talking, or your oral health. How can you improve your smile as an adult? What about adult orthodontics? Your Mission Viejo and San Clemente dentists have the answers you’re looking for around how to fix your crooked teeth as an adult. To start, we’ll set the record straight on five common myths about crooked teeth in adults.
Myth #1: Crooked Teeth In Adults Can’t Be Fixed
We’re here to let you know it’s never too late to fix crooked teeth. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that adult orthodontics is more common than you think: according to the American Association of Orthodontics, about 32% of orthodontics patients are adults.
At Shoreline Dental Studio, we offer Invisalign for adults with the benefit of being more discreet than most adult braces treatments. This is great for adults who don’t want the look of braces while transforming their smile.
Myth #2: DIY Fixes Are Just As Good
While Googling how to straighten teeth at home will reveal many ideas, our professional advice is: Do Not Try This At Home. As dentists who care about our patients’ oral health first and foremost, we can’t help but cringe a little thinking that some might consider bypassing a dental professional and try to straighten their teeth at home!
You see, DIY methods can cause more harm than good. Straightening your teeth safely and effectively requires intricate medical knowledge of how your teeth, gums, jawbones and facial structure work — and experience in manipulating those structures correctly and for the long term. Close dental oversight throughout your smile transformation is a must. So, when it comes to your pearly whites, we can’t stress enough how important it is to leave it to the trained experts at Shoreline Dental Studio. Dr. Ritzau, Dr. Livingston, Dr. Saad, and Dr. Winters provide experienced, cutting-edge treatment paired with personalized care that will give you confidence throughout and a stunning final smile you’ll love.
Myth #3: Treatment Always Means Braces
Yes, braces are often the first thing that comes to mind when you think about teeth straightening, but as we mentioned, Invisalign is an effective option for adult orthodontics, too. Today, one of the most significant benefits of Invisalign is that it can fix a range of issues from mild to complex just like braces — especially in the hands of expert providers like the dentists at Shoreline Dental Studio. Not only are we Diamond Invisalign providers, but we’re also trained in advanced techniques and keep our knowledge and experience fresh as members of international Invisalign study clubs. Dr. Ritzau even serves on the Board of the Academy of Clear Aligners.
Myth #4: Crooked Teeth Are Just A Cosmetic Issue
Do straight teeth really matter beyond just cosmetics? Simply put, yes! In addition to the aesthetic appeal and social advantages of straight teeth, a straight smile can positively impact your oral and overall health. In short, straight teeth makes maintaining excellent oral health easier and promotes optimal chewing and speaking. Conversely, crooked teeth can contribute to poor oral health, which, in turn, has been linked to issues like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Myth #5: It’s All In The Genes
A common question we hear is, “Are crooked teeth genetic?” In part, yes. Crowding, your jaws’ shape and size, and a misaligned bite are hereditary. However, it’s not all genetics. Crooked teeth can also develop from:
- Prolonged infant habits: Thumbsucking, pacifier use or tongue thrust that continues into toddlerhood or early elementary school can affect the development of adult teeth and bites.
- Poor oral hygiene: Severe gum disease can cause teeth to become loose and fall out, leaving gaps and triggering surrounding teeth to shift and fill the space.
- Early baby tooth loss: If a baby tooth falls out and leaves a gap before the adult tooth is ready to erupt, this can cause the other baby teeth to shift, blocking a straight path for the adult tooth.
- Mouth breathing: chronic mouth breathing can shift your jaw, leading to a misaligned bite.
- Tooth trauma: Losing a tooth because of an accident or sports can cause a gap that results in teeth shifting.
Thankfully, genetics isn’t destiny when it comes to your smile. With modern adult orthodontics like Invisalign, genetics and your past oral development don’t have to dictate your dental health or appearance of your smile.
A Confident New Smile With Your Orange County Diamond Invisalign Provider
Ready to flash a straight and healthy smile with adult orthodontics? Start your Invisalign treatment with confidence, knowing that Shoreline Dental Studio is a Diamond Invisalign provider, a designation that signifies a high level of experience and expertise with Invisalign.
Schedule an Invisalign consultation today at our Mission Viejo or San Clemente dentist office. We’re here to help reveal the smile you’ve always wanted.