Many people had braces as kids and don't exactly remember them with fondness. Whether you hated how they looked or disliked going in to have them tightened, chances are if you had braces, you have some kind of negative memory associated with them. Thankfully, braces are easier than ever for people to use, including kids. Whether you're in need of braces again yourself or have a child that needs them, here's how braces have improved over the years to make the experience easier on the wearer.

Cosmetic Improvements

One of the biggest changes in braces is that there are more cosmetic options now than there were a few years ago.

You may or may not have had access to colored brackets, which allow you to show off your personality. These are actually put over the standard brackets so that the treatment isn't affected by them at all, and they can be changed out regularly. Some even glow in the dark.

Alternatively, if you're more interested in your braces going unnoticed, ceramic braces are a great option. These braces are made out of ceramic — the same material that artificial teeth are made from — so they blend in beautifully with your teeth. Some orthodontists even use clear or ceramic wires to help further hide these.

Adjustment Improvements

Remember how uncomfortable an adjustment could be when your braces needed to be tightened? That's not the case anymore.

Orthodontists now have access to a type of arch wire that adjusts slowly over time with heat. What this means is that while you're wearing the braces, the warmth of your mouth will gradually shift the position of the wires over time. Instead of going from point A to point B when you visit your orthodontist and dealing with the pain or discomfort associated with it, your teeth will gradually be moved from point A to point B while you're wearing them. It will make any adjustment your orthodontist makes a lot easier, as your teeth have already shifted into nearly the perfect position before the adjustment ever occurs.

More Options

Finally, there are options for people now who simply don't want to deal with old-fashioned braces. You could always choose invisible braces, which can be removed at will. This means you can eat whatever you want and clean your teeth and gums easily at night, and no one will know you have braces during the day when you're wearing your invisible aligner.

Braces have come a long way in the last many years. If you haven't had them in a long time, don't dread them. They're much more comfortable than they ever were before, and now you can hide the fact that you're even wearing them.