A COUPLE OF CENTURIES AGO it was very unusual for people to have their original teeth in their mouth on their 40th birthday! And as little as 50 years ago, half of the people you walked by over the age of 65 had already lost nearly all of their teeth. Today, that number has been drastically reduced.
Right NOW, if you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment, you may not be able to eat apples, carrots, and other hard foods. But the good news is that with modern dentistry, and good habits, you’ll have plenty of time AFTER orthodontic treatment to enjoy hard crunchy foods. That’s because your teeth will be around for a long time!
We’re All Part Of An Amazing Trend
Despite all of the modern threats to our smiles that we often hear about (including rampant sugar use, popularized acidic beverages, etc.) overall oral health continues to improve. In most countries, at every age, we’re keeping more of our teeth than we were 20 years ago in 1994:
Orthodontics And Modern Dentistry Are Both Focused On Preventive Care And Keeping Teeth
Back in the olden days when preventive care was rare, the result was a lot of toothaches. Often, the default solution for a toothache was to just pull the tooth. Today’s materials and treatment advances have made that default solution rare—especially when patients maintain regular checkups.
The gum health in a 60-year-old today is about the same as it was in a 40-year-old back in 1973. One of the contributing factors is likely the rise of regular flossing! Dental floss was patented in the late 19th century, but it has taken a long time for regular flossing to become mainstream.
A Well-Aligned Bite Can Help You Keep Your Teeth
Did you know that your orthodontic treatment is part of your preventative care? Straight teeth are important for your long-term oral health. An aligned bite prevents unnecessary wear and grinding. Straight teeth are easier to clean, which keeps your gums healthy, too.
With good habits, your natural teeth can be around as long as you are. No denture adhesives, no living off soup everyday. Remember to put in that footwork now: brush and floss every day, during your braces treatment AND after.
