When you first hear the word “braces”, you and your wallet may be thinking about the additional expense to your household budget. Braces can be an expensive undertaking, whether they are for you or a member of your family. However, you need to consider the cost of having braces versus the cost to your teeth, gums, and jaw if you don’t get them.

Braces Correct Many Issues

Orthodontists use braces to correct issues with your bite, tooth position, or tooth spacing. If your dentist has recommended you wear braces, it is because they feel braces are your best option.

Many teenagers and adults struggle with bite issues, which are called malocclusions. Malocclusions can cause your top jaw to come down too far over your lower jaw. Some people struggle with teeth that don’t line up properly or upper teeth that go behind the lower teeth when they bite down. If a malocclusion is severe enough, you may be faced with years of jaw problems, such as temporomandibular joint disorder. TMD can cause serious pain and inflammation of your jaw joints. You may have difficulty opening and closing your mouth as well. If the condition grows severe enough, you’ll be facing surgery.

Tooth Trouble

You may also have teeth that are poorly spaced, that overlap, or that are not straight. All of these tooth issues can be fixed with braces. Many people who have severely crowded teeth find that they have difficulty brushing and flossing their teeth correctly. If you can’t clean your teeth well, you run the risk of both tooth decay and gum disease. Severe tooth decay and gum disease can cause problems for your overall physical health. You also risk needing dentures, dental implants, bridges, and other expensive restorative work due to either tooth decay or gum disease.

Getting braces doesn’t have to be prohibitively expensive. Many orthodontists offer payment plans to lower the cost for their patients. Also, braces are far less expensive than dental surgery or restorative surgery. In fact, braces are a bargain!