Braces

Braces are an incredible resource to help people get a healthy smile that they are proud to share. Here’s everything you need to know about straightening teeth, and why that’s such an important part of a healthy mouth.

Straight Teeth help Healthy Smiles

Adult teeth inform the health and shape of the mouth, and misaligned teeth can cause a lot of anguish if left untreated. Crooked teeth interfere with proper chewing patterns, which cause more strain on teeth and can lead to a misaligned bite. This is incredibly uncomfortable, and can cause anxiety and social stress. Additionally, crooked teeth are more difficult to keep clean, which increases the odds of forming a cavity.

When is the Right Time to Straighten Teeth?

Typically, braces and orthodontic devices are placed between 10 and 14 years of age while the head and mouth are still growing. But, braces aren’t just for kids. More and more orthodontic appliances are available for adults that can help them improve their smiles. Our dentist can determine if they need braces or an orthodontic device.

What Causes Crooked Teeth?

There are several reasons that teeth become crooked. Some teeth arrive twisted, over lapping or crooked, while some teeth arrive too soon, which can lead to crowding. Improper loss of adult teeth, or losing a baby tooth too early can cause improper spacing, and lead to jaw and bite misalignment. Facial injuries and improperly fitting oral appliances like fillings and crowns can also lead to crooked teeth.

Does Getting Braces Hurt?

Straightening teeth can be an uncomfortable affair, because braces gradually pull teeth into place with a great amount of force. Getting braces doesn’t hurt, but most experience a small amount of discomfort and pain for 4 to 6 hours after getting their braces. It’s common to experience a small amount of pressure in the teeth, gums and jaw for the first week after placing the braces. Additionally, follow-up appointments are necessary for the orthodontist to adjust or change the wires and elastics. This will cause a small amount of pressure that will abate in a few hours.

How long do Braces Need to be Worn?

Typically, orthodontic treatment lasts anywhere between 12 and 24 months, depending upon the specific needs of the patient. A retainer is necessary to keep teeth straight after the braces have been removed.

Does My Child Need Braces?

Your child may need braces when their adult teeth arrive. The best way to determine if they need braces is by scheduling an appointment with our office so that our dentists may evaluate your child’s smile. Braces are not a one-size-fits all fix, and there are a number of orthodontic devices to correct a variety of oral health impairments.

Some people think that braces are only good for straightening teeth, but that couldn’t be further from the truth! Braces are incredibly versatile tools that can ease a number of oral health ailments, and encourage people to share their smile. 

Braces Can: 

Straighten Crowded Teeth 

Crowded teeth can be a major point of anxiety for numerous people, and that’s completely normal. Unfortunately, crowded teeth are more susceptible to tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss can occur. 

Braces can help straighten teeth and improve their outward appearance. Additionally, straighter teeth are easier to clean, which helps prevent tooth decay and cavities. Braces can help boost self-confidence by straightening teeth, and encouraging people to smile more. 

Correct Jaw Positioning 

A misaligned jaw can make it difficult to eat, sleep and speak, and cause discomfort and pain. This can cause chronic jaw pain, and even lead to an overbite or underbite. Luckily, there are multiple orthodontic options and bracers available that can remedy a misaligned jaw. Treatments include orthodontic work, cosmetic dentistry, and surgery, depending upon the severity of the jaw misalignment. 

Improve Bite Alignment 

A misaligned bite is called a malocclusion, and it can be the result of numerous causes. Misaligned bone structure, a small mouth, poor muscular habits like thumb-sucking or tongue thrusting can all complicate bite alignment. Poor bite alignment can abnormally wear down tooth enamel, make it difficult to chew or speak, and lead to chronic jaw pain. 

When is the Right Time for Braces? 

Ideally, children will get braces after their adult teeth have erupted, between the ages of 11 and 14. However, braces may be prescribed for adults of all ages, and are more discreetly designed than ever. Having braces as an adult, can typically take longer to yield results since the bones in the face are no longer growing and developing.  If you think your child needs braces, please give us a call for a consultation. 

Visit Our Office 

It’s impossible to know if your child needs braces without a dental checkup. Your pediatric dentist will be able analyze their bite pattern, jaw positioning, and tooth alignment to determine the need for braces or another appliance.  

Call our office to schedule an oral checkup for your child, and we’ll discuss your child’s oral health, and identify where you can help improve their oral health.

Having braces can be equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking. While you’re surely looking forward to a healthy smile, it can be difficult to adjust to caring for your braces. In fact, one of the most difficult things about getting braces is adjusting your diet, and eating foods that keep your appliance in place. To help you navigate these murky waters, we’ve listed some of the foods that you should absolutely avoid if you have braces.  

Starchy Snacks

Starchy foods can get stuck between teeth and stick around long after a meal concludes, and that’s the problem – starchy foods stuck on teeth provide bad bacteria with sugar, which powers the bacteria to multiply and attack enamel. This problem is made worse by dental appliance, because starchy foods can easily get stuck in them. This makes the acidic attacks last longer, and has a more negative effect on teeth.  

Nuts

Nuts are fantastic for teeth, but terrible for oral appliances. That’s because they are very hard, and can damage oral appliances. Nuts can damage rubber bands, wires and even brackets! If you have braces, then it’s best to avoid nuts and hard foods that can damage your oral appliance.  

Hard Candy

Braces and hard candy simply don’t mix. That’s because hard candies can wreak havoc on teeth, and oral appliances. Hard candy dissolves more slowly, which allows bad bacteria longer access to the sugar they need to survive and cause havoc on teeth. This can lead to more cavities and tooth decay. 

Additionally, hard candy can also crack wires, or dislodge brackets. Simply put: if you or your child has braces or an oral appliance, then you should limit or ban hard candy until they get the appliance off.  

The General Rule is This…

Avoid sticky and hard foods. Sticky foods to avoid include: toffee; Tootsie Rolls, Caramels, Gum, Licorice and Starburst. Hard foods to avoid include: chips, Jolly Ranchers, Corn, Tacos and hard breads. 

Hard and sticky food is very difficult to dislodge from braces, and can damage oral appliances. The best way to avoid any issues is by avoiding it all together! 

Cleaning Teeth with Braces

Without braces, dentists advise to brush twice per day for two minutes at a time. However, food tends to get stuck in braces pretty easily, which can lead to acid buildup and cavities. This is why most orthodontists advise brushing 4 times per day: in the morning after breakfast, after lunch or right after school, after dinner and at bedtime. The extra brushing ensures that your mouth stays debris-free, and helps to fight cavities and potential damage to your oral appliance. 

You can also help rid your mouth of debris by vigorously swishing water after each meal. The water will be able to get rid of a lot of the stuck food, but harder to reach debris will need to be brushed or flossed away.

Schedule an Appointment

 Visit our office if your child has something lodged in their braces, or you are unsure about how to manage their oral appliance. Our oral health experts will work with you to ensure that they can get a healthy smile, and keep their oral appliance in shape.