If you’re an adult who is not happy with your smile, there is good news: Braces are just as effective for older people as they are for the young.

Years ago, adults were discouraged from having their teeth straightened. Back then, it was assumed braces worked best for children whose mouths were still growing.

Today, we know otherwise. Braces can create beautiful, lasting smiles for adults, too – even into their 80s. Delta Dental and the American Association of Orthodontists report more than 1 million Americans over the age of 18 are wearing braces.

It’s not too late to get that beautiful smile you’ve always wanted!

On the other hand, you may wonder if correcting your smile now is worth the time, energy, and investment. After all, you’ve lived with your crooked teeth this long. The answer is, resoundingly, yes. Bad alignment and related orthodontic issues can lead to health problems as you age. Correcting your smile is about much more than simply enhancing your appearance.

Here are some of the reasons to consider braces despite your age:

You will have healthier teeth and gums. Straight teeth are certainly easier to clean. Plaque contributes to tooth decay and gum disease and it is much more difficult for your toothbrush to reach when your teeth are crowded. Gum disease, or periodontitis, can cause tooth and bone loss and a host of broader health issues. Many adults are surprised in their later years to lose sound teeth because of unhealthy gums and bones.

Your jaw will be healthier, too. An uneven bite can lead to bone loss in your jaw and may be the cause of jaw joint issues, such as temporomandibular joint disease, or TMJ. A bad bite also can contribute to headaches. Orthodontics usually can improve these conditions.

Snoring or sleep apnea may be reduced. Excessive overjet, where your top teeth protrude – the traditional “buck teeth” – can be associated with your airway being blocked while you sleep. A partially blocked airway can lead to snoring. If it’s totally blocked, you could experience sleep apnea, which continually disrupts your rest. Sleep apnea is associated with several health issues, including heart problems.

Your self-esteem and confidence will get a boost. You may think you’re okay with crooked teeth, but if you purse your lips in photographs or cover your mouth when you laugh, you are more self-conscious than you realize. A confident smile has been shown to increase self-esteem, which in turn can open up career and social opportunities. In a recent Invisalign study, job applicants with straight teeth were 45% more likely to be hired over people with similar qualifications, but unattractive teeth. In the same study, 38% said they would not accept a second date with someone who has misaligned teeth.

Your happiness level may increase. Simply smiling makes you happier. When you know your teeth are beautiful, you’ll smile more often and more radiantly.

Just remember, when it comes to adult orthodontics, you have options – and none of them are the clunky metal ones you knew as a child.

Here are the primary choices:

Clear or ceramic braces. These braces function much like traditional metal braces except the brackets are clear ceramic rather than metal. Adults LOVE these types of braces because you can barely tell they are there. Plus, you can still choose to wear colors on them if you so desire.

Invisalign. These are clear plastic trays, called aligners, that can barely be seen when you wear them. These aligners are computer-generated at the start of your treatment, and you wear each one in progression for about one-two weeks. Besides their clear appearance, they are welcomed by many adults because they can be removed for up to two hours each day for cleaning and eating. You won’t need to buy special brushes or eliminate foods from your diet.

Modern metal braces. These aren’t the metal braces of your childhood. They are lighter and thinner – and just like the clear braces, you can choose colors that allow you to express your personality or mood. They still straighten your teeth with wires, metal brackets and rubber bands

If you have any additional questions about Mack and Hansen Orthodontics or want to discover how Dr. Spencer Mack and Dr. Andrew Hansen can help you gain straighter teeth and a healthier smile with braces or Invisalign please contact us today! You can also visit www.etxortho.com to learn more about our orthodontists and request a complimentary consult, or you can call us at 903-212-7737. We’re conveniently located in Longview, TX and are just a quick drive from Marshall, Carthage, Henderson, Kilgore, and Gilmer.

Here at Mack and Hansen Orthodontics we are committed to making orthodontic treatment affordable for everyone.

We get a number of questions during a typical week about how we make treatment affordable including our payment plans, which we do offer with 0% interest, insurance, and medicaid.

When it comes to braces, there is a difference between orthodontic insurance and dental insurance. Orthodontic insurance does cover braces, but just because you have dental insurance does not mean you have orthodontic insurance. It is important to understand this because if you have the option of adding orthodontic insurance, you may want to consider doing so.

We also often get asked if medicaid covers orthodontic treatment and braces, or if there is an orthodontist who accepts medicaid here in Longview, TX. Here in the state of Texas, it is rather difficult for an orthodontic case to be approved by Medicaid. In fact, very very few orthodontic (braces) cases are approved each year. So while there may not be a medicaid orthodontist in Longview, we do not want this to be a barrier for those who want and need braces and that is why we make every effort to ensure treatment is affordable for you and your family with our low down payments and payment plans

If you have any additional questions about Mack and Hansen Orthodontics or want to discover how Dr. Spencer Mack and Dr. Andrew Hansen can help you gain straighter teeth and a healthier smile with braces or Invisalign please contact us today! You can also visit www.etxortho.com to learn more about our orthodontists and request a complimentary consult, or you can call us at 903-212-7737. We’re conveniently located in Longview, TX and are just a quick drive from Marshall, Carthage, Henderson, Kilgore, and Gilmer.

October brings lots of changes and new experiences…cooler weather, crackling leaves, cozy fires, and Halloween! For orthodontists across the country, October also brings National Orthodontic Health Month. This is a great opportunity for us here at Mack and Hansen Orthodontics to remind patients of some care and safety basics for their braces.

We have provided these 4 ways to protect your braces, aligners (Invisalign), and other orthodontic appliances for our patients to keep in mind all year round.

Avoid Sticky Snacks
This includes hard candy, sticky foods, crunchy or chewy snacks, and candy.  Bubblegum, taffy, caramel, gummies, and jelly beans can all become stuck in appliances and cause damage to your braces.  Instead, opt for a healthier alternative, such as fruit cut into bite- size pieces.

Hard Treats are a No No
Crunchy treats, such as the -itos family (Doritos, Fritos, Cheetos, and Tostitos), nuts, popcorn, and even ice are all foods that can cause braces, even adult braces, to break. Breaking the brackets or wires on braces causes damage to the appliances and requires a visit to us to fix them.

Make Sure to Brush
All the extra sweet stuff can cause cavities, so make sure to brush and floss regularly. When wearing braces, be especially careful about brushing and flossing after every meal and after having a sweet treat.  You can ask us about the right tools for caring for and cleaning your braces.

Find an Alternative to the Sticky Stuff
Not all treats are off limits to orthodontic patients.  Soft chocolates, peanut butter cups, and candies that don’t contain nuts are a good alternative for a sweet treat. Just make sure to follow the guidelines we give you when you get your braces on!

Mack and Hansen Orthodontics wants our patients to have a fun and healthy Halloween!  If you forget any of these tips and tricks and need to see us for any reason, contact us at 903-212-7737 for an appointment. See you soon!

If you have any additional questions about Mack and Hansen Orthodontics or want to discover how Dr. Spencer Mack and Dr. Andrew Hansen can help you gain straighter teeth and a healthier smile with braces or Invisalign please contact us today! You can also visit www.etxortho.com to learn more about our orthodontists and request a complimentary consult, or you can call us at 903-212-7737. We’re conveniently located in Longview, TX and are just a quick drive from Marshall, Carthage, Henderson, Kilgore, and Gilmer.

Are you on the path to a straighter, healthier smile? Every patient has a different timeline, but typically it takes up to a little over a year to refine. That’s 12+ months of perfecting tricks, hacks, and all the tips in between. Here’s a list of our best hacks from Dr. Spencer Mack and Dr. Andrew Hansen:

1. Waterpiks are lifesavers. We recommend them over dental floss for everyone, especially when you have braces.
2. Download a mirror app. Food can get stuck in both your teeth and braces. But having a mirror always on hand — or on your phone — makes it easy for you to check for left-behind crumbs.
3. Fix wires with a tweezer. Wires can slip out of place very easily. Instead of swinging by to visit us, you can just slide the wire back into place with a tweezer.
4. Consume non-staining foods and drinks. Even healthy foods like berries can stain your teeth, and the seeds can get stuck in your brackets. Steer clear of stain-causing, acidic foods for more confidence while you’re at work or out with friends.
5. Have warm water and salt ready. If your mouth is every sore, rinse with 2 tablespoons of warm, salt water.

12+ months with braces can seem like a lifetime for both teens and adults. However, keep in mind that orthodontic treatment is often the best way to fine-tune your smile!

If you have any additional questions about Mack and Hansen Orthodontics or want to discover how Dr. Spencer Mack and Dr. Andrew Hansen can help you gain straighter teeth and a healthier smile with braces or Invisalign please contact us today! You can also visit www.etxortho.com to learn more about our orthodontists and request a complimentary consult, or you can call us at 903-212-7737. We’re conveniently located in Longview, TX and are just a quick drive from Marshall, Carthage, Henderson, Kilgore, and Gilmer.