Metal Mouth Message Board

markuhde wrote:newmetal, 30 is really old for orthodontics. Not for life these days though, but in orthodontic terms it is. This is an orthodontics site.

This post (in this thread) surprised me with the attitude, given the way this site started and the number of people I've seen posting who've said they're over 30.

Is there any chance a poll could be created, with graphs and stuff to show the ages of members here? I know there are a bunch of twenty-somethings like me (and some great teenagers such as dagwoman, ilovemacs etc), but I was under the impression that there was no limit of being "really old" for braces! My boyfriend's 36 and thinking about it (and he's far from being really old )

26 when the braces went on, btw, will be 28 when they're all done - i hope!

There was a poll on this, back in March 2005. Here's the results:

under 18 75 (11%)
18 to 25 159 (24%)
26 to 35 215 (33%)
36 to 45 123 (19%)
46 to 55 58 ( 8%)
56 to 65 11 ( 1%)
over 65 4 ( 0%)


Not sure if the numbers would be appreciably different now or not.

P.S. I got my braces when I was 53

I'm 40 in April! Am I past it then?

It would be GREAT to have another poll. I am studying statistics right now in my senior year in college, and I would love to have longitudinal data from the first poll to tie to a second pole, to see if there is an increase in the percentages!!! Anyone know how to do that, or who I would need to talk to to get a new poll started for ages? So interesting... i am a nerd just a little.. lol!!!

p.s. I dont think any age is TOO OLD to get braces or want beautiful teeth. Just like you are never to old to try something new, or buy your first teddy bear (kinda off but trust me i have seen it). By setting a limit on something as important as beautiful teeth, we are alianating pretty much half of the population who starts there journeys late in life. So i say CHEERS to all us late bloomers! YAY!!

Well, I'm 47 and just starting the process. (Spacers are in; Tuesday is the B-day.) Just this morning there was a gentleman ahead of me with full upper and lower metal at the ortho who could have been my father. Though we are the exception to this particular ortho, we are definetly not alone.

I am turning 30 this year and just got my braces in. Hey you know what they say these days, 30s is the new 20s, 40s is the new 30s, 50s is the new 40s and so on. All I say is "better late than never"!

I started at 30--i'm 32 now. And I'm definitely NOT 'really old'

I was 26 when braces went on and will properly be 29 when they come off.

I think its less common in the UK to have braces as a older person, then perhaps it is in other countries, so that could be an interesting thing to look into too.

I know whenever i go to the orthodontist i seem to be the only person there not in school uniform, or with there parents!

I think tho, that whatever your age its never to late.

I'm 24 but I definitely don't think 30+ is old! My sister is 38 and considering braces. You're never too old to decide to do something positive for your health and appearance.

At my ortho's office there is always a wide age-range of patients.

I am 33 and really happy I was able to get braces - even as an adult.

Since I've had them I notice all kinds of adults who have braces. I think you notice them more when you have them yourself.

...and my ortho's office always has adults with braces there when I'm there. Also quite a few of the staff are braced.

It's never too late to want a beautiful smile. No matter the age, a year or two in braces is so worth the 10, 20, 30, 50 years you will have with a beautiful smile!

loulou, I live in the UK too and I'm 39! I got braced 3 months ago and I'm hoping I might be done before I'm 40

Orthodontic work wasn't suggested when I was a teenager - I don't know why. I don't think my teeth were so crowded then.

I'm guessing that for some people, they have a little more spare cash in their 30s or 40s, and can afford to put something right that maybe has been bothering them for a long time?

I was 40 when they were put on and I'm now 42.

Another thought... I'm guessing that probably a significant majority of orthodontic work is done on teenagers, so in that sense I suppose it's fair enough to say that 30 is 'really old' for orthodontic work, on average!

This board is certainly not going to be representative in terms of ages, partly because it's aimed at adults, and also because I'm guessing that most teenagers (not all) don't feel the same need to come here, because they have friends who they can talk to about their experiences. I don't know anyone else who wears braces, which is why I've found it so helpful to compare notes here!

According to some of the "youngsters" on my team, 30 is just really old, full stop.

I was 34 when I was braced and hope to be finished before my 36th birthday.

Cheers

Mike

I was 42 when I got mine put on.

At my ortho's office, when I'm in there there are always 1 to 3 other adults in chairs around the room.

I think I remember him saying his practice was over 40% adults.