Braces for All

There was a time when phrases like “metal mouth” and “brace face” caused students everywhere to hide behind binders and dread school pictures. Before that, students who wore glasses were teased relentlessly and called the infamous “four eyes”. Today, while glasses with corrective lenses are still used to help those with poor vision, some also use them for mere fashion statements and the days of being taunted for wearing them are gone. It seems that braces are on the same path. Today, with over four million individuals in the United States undergoing some type of orthodontic treatment, braces are standard practice. What was once a luxury has become a normal and widely accepted part of development for any pre-teen or teenager.

When braces were first introduced in the early 1900s, dentists used a variety of materials to align teeth depending on their preference and the patient’s monetary situation. Some of these materials included ivory, wood, and copper. The most popular and preferred material however, was gold. Because of its cost, many people who needed orthodontic work were unable to gain access to it. This is a stark contrast to today’s world where 80 percent of teenagers in the U.S. are currently undergoing orthodontic treatment due to more cost effective methods and the sharp rise that braces have seen in popularity.

Kids aren't the only ones who are straightening out their smiles. According to the American Association of Orthodontics, the number of adults seeking orthodontic treatment increased by 24 percent between 1982 and 2008. It's not very common to see adults flashing smiles with metal braces, but retainers and invisible braces including those of the popular brand, Invisalign, offer adults different methods to correct crooked teeth that are far more discreet.

Braces aren't only used to boost self-esteem through straighter teeth. It is important that the jaw and teeth be properly aligned for health reasons too. A bad bight can lead to a number of complications including speech difficulty, premature wearing of teeth and enamel, and can leave people more susceptible to teeth and jaw injuries.

With 33 percent of the world's population undergoing orthodontic treatment at some point in their lives, people everywhere are gaining healthier, more beautiful smiles. If you or your little one are in need of braces, join the club! Thankfully, this isn't the 1900s and access to this kind of treatment is now more affordable, more popular and probably a lot more comfortable. (Wood in braces? What were they thinking!?)