Dentists could say everyone needs braces, because they make a crapload of money off of them. Even if someone has perfect teeth, they would claim that you need braces to keep them that way. Braces are just too much money, too much time, and too much effort for such little in return. I could have gotten braces a couple months ago... to fix a SINGLE gap between two of my teeth. I would have had to have spent about 4+ years total with braces and a retainer.
Actually I hated the dentist rules for braces, it was too much for me. Braces that tend to give me blister inside my mouth. Rubberbands too shut your mouth further in from eating something good. Sometimes the brace line that connects each tooth kept poking my back mouth. Headgear is the worst, it would dislocate or get stuck onto the blankets. I even told my dentist if I could use those plastic braces instead of metal braces, he said they were no good. What a bastard.
You took too long, now your candy's gone. That's What happens. Bkowwwww. (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻)
Braces do have their use. However, most people don't need them for anything but aesthetic purposes. I was actually told by a dentist that a large amount of what dentists usually do isn't absolutely necessary. You don't NEED to go the to dentist twice a year, it's just a really clever ploy to get them constant business. You often don't need to get all your wisdom teeth out, but they do it that way all the time. I could have had braces put on because I had a tooth that didn't descend for a long time. I didn't and it's just fine. I also only had one wisdom tooth removed, and my teeth are still perfectly healthy.
Americans have a weird obsession with teeth. Yeah it's important to keep them healthy, but they don't need to be perfectly straight and white to do their job. Unless you have really fucked up teeth braces aren't necessary, they've gotta be pretty bad for people to notice.
I can offer my own personal experiences: My teeth aren't crooked or anything, but I have gaps. When I was in my teens I thought that I didn't need braces and that they'd be a waste. Now, in my 20's, I want to get braces so that I can have a good smile. So, tell me what looks worse, a teen with braces or an adult with braces? I'm gonna try and get invisalign, actually. I don't think my insurance covers it though.
Got braces at 11, got em off at 13. Everybody tells my I have a beautiful smile but yes the mouth isn't done developing. In fact, there is now a space between a couple of my teeth that I may want to get fixed. I don't really want to get a spring retainer or anything but...
I got braces just when I started college upon my own request since I had some bottom teeth that were crooked. I wore braces for all 4 of my college years since I wasn't exactly close by to my orthodontist. I wore the retainer for 3 years after college. Then I saw another orthodontist about the retainer. He put me back on braces for another year and then a retainer for 6 months. He was good and seemed to know his stuff. In my case, the original orthodontist had my incisor teeth pulled to make room for the other teeth. The orthodontist says that is old school and they don't do that sort of thing anymore.
I had the metal braces and I wasn't too self conscious about it. A nice smile (braces or not) is a nice smile.
I still remember the first day of getting braces and how my teeth were so sore. I couldn't bite into anything. I also didn't care for the times when the wire would poke into your cheeks if they got a bit long.
Would I still get braces again? Definitely yes.
Twenty years later, my teeth still look very good & straight.
I'm sure braces are appropriate for different people at different ages. Some dentists may do it prematurely to bring in more money, they may also recommend certain more expensive procedures.
On that subject, about 20 years ago my mother (and our family) started to going to one particular dentist because he had a reputation for being very fair and letting clients know what their more affordable options are. He became popular with university students and those settling into a new life (like my mother) and really prospered because of it. That dentist's son has now taken over the practice, but adheres to the same principles. That dentist has kept our business for 20 years and is booked 6 months in advance for Saturday appointments. Basically every one of his clients signs up for their next appointment at each check up.
My mother had always told me about that, then maybe a few years ago I had a potential cavity and while one of his workers thought about the possibility of a filling, he came over and instead opted to give me prescription tooth paste to use once a day until the tube was gone. 6 months later at the next check up there was no sign of a cavity and as a result I've kept my mouth cavity free. Long story, but if in some cases maybe the dentists are to blame. Find a good one and keep him.
Hidden things dentists don't tell you about braces. Increased risk of bacteria buildup under braces leading to more cavities and then more fillings. Sometimes braces leave permanent scratches on the teeth. After braces finally removed then having to deal with retainers. A real money maker insurance write off for the dental office.
Maybe get braces only if crooked teeth justify it.
