Braces and obsession with perfect teeth.

At least everything matches. When they die, you don't have to dig a grave, just screw them into the ground. That joke is probably older than my grandfather.

 

i never had braces either. my teeth have always been pretty good. the bottom front row is a little smashed together, but not really noticeable unless you're looking for it. other than that, there is just one on the top that is pretty significantly out of line, but it's not like it came in sideways or anything. my dentist actually recommended that i push it back into line with a popsicle stick, which didn't work at all. like, it was so far from being effective that i kind of wonder if he was actually a licensed dentist at all.

 

Dentist came into school when i was a kid and checked everyone. Said i needed braces. I knew there wasnt a chance in hell i was getting them (mom could barely keep up with the light bill) and i didnt want them so that worked out. Didnt start seeing a dentist regularly until i moved out on my own. And now 30 years after i was told i needed braces my top teeth are all straight. My bottom teeth have spaces in various spots there are one or two spots i would like the gap to not be so far but overall i dont mind the spaces. It actually makes it easy to clean the sides of my teeth.

 

I'm 43 years old and have never had braces. How in the hell did I luck out, right?

 

I had braces for 2.5 years, and a jaw operation.

Stopped wearing my retainer and my teeth are now a bit crooked, but no one seems to care.

I think imperfections in teeth add character.

 

I do think that for some braces really are a blessing but for most they probably are more of a cosmetic issue rather than medically corrective.

My daughter had a small space between her two front teeth and her eye tooth on the right was smaller than it should have been. They corrected the space and it allowed for the eye tooth to be built up to match her other teeth. It was cosmetic in that it bothered her. It took less than a year to correct and she is pleased with the results. For that reason it was worth having it done.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEQWKYQNBaY"]Lorde - White Teeth Teens (Official Audio) - YouTube

 

I actually work for a specialist in the dental field. I used to manage 3 orthodontic practices and my mother is a dentist.

Straight teeth makes hygiene much easier. Its very difficult to floss crowded teeth (I know first hand, I've had braces) and cavities form between teeth. Unclean teeth can lead to diabetes, and heart disease along with a long list of other less common illnesses. Crowded teeth are harbors for more harmful bacteria to linger and cause periodontal disease. No big deal? Right, until you have massive bone loss and you need gingival flap surgery and root planing (scraping), tissue grafting and osseous regeneration treatments. All of which is very very expensive. I can't tell you how many young people I've seen with extensive treatment needed due to perio. Their x-rays show extensive bone loss between the teeth.

Aside from perio, and decay. Orthodontics helps occlusion (your bite) and maintaining the healthy natural tooth shape. This prevents grinding, cracking teeth, tmj, etc and the need for prosthesis in the future.

So while there are many aesthetic benefits, its also a great preventive treatment.

 

Oh definitely, but unfortunately braces (and dental care period) are big $$$$$$ so it's just not a reality for many

 

True a lot of people can't afford it. There are affordable tx plans though. I know one guy in the city who will treat a patient with $40 down and payments in the ballpark of $150 per month. I think most people would consider that a reasonable investment toward their health or children's health. Its less painful and more effective during youth. Also most insurance companies stop covering ortho around age 19 for dependent children. The alternative treatment, or more reactive treatment is farrrrrrrrrrr more expensive than preventive.

I can't tell you how many people I hear complain about treatment costs, when they could have avoided it entirely by simply seeing the dentist every 6 months for preventive cleaning, or a regular routine of brushing and flossing. The fact is even after perio treatments, unless the person develops healthy habits immediately, they're likely to experience the same issues again later in life. Which means they are then candidates for prosthesis. Say you skip implants (or have no bone left from perio), you become a candidate for dentures. A worthy set will cost you 50k easily after all residual tooth and root extractions are performed.

I mean, who wants rotting teeth, skull rotting teeth and bones in their mouth? Not me.

In terms of dental care not being affordable, thats true. its very expensive but not unattainable. Nearly every city has free clinic dentists that can diagnose and treat illness and dental issues for free or a very low fee. Also teaching universities perform great work by resident doctors at a fraction of the cost. So really there is no excuse for anyone to disregard their health.