Braces are a common type of orthodontic treatment used for straightening teeth and correcting other oral problems, such as over or under-bites. Before starting braces treatment, however, patients often have concerns. If you are about to embark on braces treatment, here are a few common worries that may have crossed your mind as well. This quick guide will provide you with information to put your worries to rest.
1. Will Braces Hurt?
This is a common concern, especially for younger patients who are about to get braces. In general, braces do not hurt. However, when you first have your braces put on, you may experience some discomfort as your mouth gets accustomed to the new equipment. If you are required to wear an appliance that uses a key for adjustments, you will probably notice that after adjustments, your mouth feels strange or uncomfortable. If the discomfort does turn into pain, you can always use OTC pain medicine.
Many patients report that braces rub against their tongue, lips, or cheeks, causing pain or discomfort. You can easily remedy this by using dental wax regularly. If you keep your braces waxed, you should experience very little discomfort.
2. Will My Diet Be Limited?
This is another common concern. In fact, according to Dentavox, 30% of those surveyed reported that they worried they would need to change their diet should they get braces. This is a very reasonable concern. When you meet with your orthodontist, they will discuss with you any food changes that you should make or foods you may need to avoid. It is true that there are certain foods that you should not eat if you have braces.
In general, patients should avoid foods that are overly sticky or crunchy. Very hard crunchy foods can break the brackets in the braces. Very sticky foods will be difficult to remove from the braces when trying to clean them. It is also highly recommended to not chew gum while you have braces. Gum can get stuck in braces and be very difficult to clean out. Very sugary foods should be avoided, simply because cleaning your teeth with braces on is already difficult, and if you eat a lot of sugary foods it can increase the chances of decay.
3. How Long Will I Need To Wear Braces?
When it comes to braces treatment, there is really no one-size-fits-all formula. Everyone’s mouth is different, so each treatment plan will be different as well. When you come in for a consultation, your orthodontist will discuss with you exactly what needs to be corrected and what types of treatment can be used to make those corrections.
There are many types of issues that can be addressed through orthodontic care. The most common type of treatment is often for straightening teeth. The length of time needed for straightening teeth will depend on how out of alignment the teeth are.
Another common type of orthodontic treatment is for correcting a misaligned bite. This refers to the way the teeth meet together when the mouth is shut. If the alignment of the bite is off, it can cause other issues with your mouth. It can make it difficult to eat and it can alter the way your face looks. Correcting an issue with bite alignment will also depend on how severe the misalignment is.
When you meet with your orthodontist, they will be able to give you an estimated length of treatment. However, you should be aware that this is only an estimate. There can be bumps along the way that might slow down treatment, or treatment may go faster than planned.
4. Will I Need A Retainer?
Many patients are required to wear a retainer following the completion of their orthodontic treatments. As the name indicates, a retainer helps to retain the improvements that were made to your mouth during treatments. Retainers are often worn at night, but in some cases, you might be required to wear them more often. Not everyone is required to wear a retainer long-term, but most orthodontic patients will need to use a retainer for a certain amount of time. These are details that your orthodontist will discuss with you at the end of your treatment.
If you are in need of orthodontic services, please get in touch with Becker Orthodontics today. We will be happy to schedule a consultation.
