The idea of needing braces can be overwhelming for many, regardless of age. The orthodontic procedure will correct your bite and improve your smile over time, but it can also change your appearance and affect your daily dental hygiene practices.
As a top provider of metal braces in Metairie, LA for teens and adults, Maldonado Orthodontics and our team understand the importance of wearing braces. We also know getting this treatment isn’t without its questions and concerns. That’s why we won’t hesitate to answer frequently asked questions about braces.
5 Common Questions About Braces, Answered
Fixing orthodontic issues with braces will do more than improve your smile. It can also help prevent dental health problems like tooth decay and loss. Though teens with braces are common, it’s becoming more acceptable for adults to correct their orthodontic problems by wearing metal braces. Still, not everyone has the answers to frequently asked questions about braces.
Our staff at Maldonado Orthodontics enjoys helping all patients feel comfortable during their treatments. With our skills, education, and ongoing training, we can help calm worries or fears about getting braces by answering the following:
1. How Do Braces Work?
Metal braces use brackets and a wire to continuously put pressure on your teeth, gently shifting them into their desired position over time. As your teeth move into the proper alignment, your orthodontist will make adjustments to the brackets, wire, and other components to continue the shift and leave you with a perfect alignment and a beautiful smile.
2. How Long Do You Need To Wear Braces?
The answer to this question depends on your orthodontic problem. Braces can treat many alignment issues, but the more severe yours is, the longer you’ll likely have to wear braces.
Most people have braces for 12 to 24 months. Minor orthodontic problems can sometimes be corrected in 6-12 months. Other patients may need up to three years to adjust severe teeth crowding or misalignment.
3. What Foods Can You Eat With Braces, and What Foods Should You Avoid?
It’s best to avoid chewy foods that could stick to your brackets and teeth. For instance, hard candy, pretzels, and hard chocolate are not advisable. You should also limit or avoid hard or crunchy foods like nuts and hard taco shells because they can damage the wires and brackets.
While wearing braces, you can safely eat items like noodle dishes, pitless fruits, yogurt, cheese, and hull-less popcorn. Raw vegetables, croutons, and thin-crust pizza could be problematic, but they’re usually safe to eat if you cut them into small pieces instead of biting them straight on.
4. How Should You Care for Your Teeth and Braces?
Brushing your teeth with braces might seem difficult, but it’s possible. You should brush your teeth after every meal and before bed, amounting to four daily brushes. You may also continue flossing once daily.
The areas around the brackets create more places for bacteria and food particles to hide. So, while you can safely brush and floss your teeth, you should pay extra attention when cleaning around the brackets.
5. Will Braces Hurt?
After getting braces, your mouth might feel slightly uncomfortable or mildly achy the first few days. It takes about a week for the mouth to adjust to the sensation.
Contact Maldonado Orthodontics for Your Smile Transformation
If you’re an adult with misaligned teeth or a teenager with dental gaps, consider orthodontic treatment from Maldonado Orthodontics. The board-certified orthodontist and friendly staff at our office in Metairie, LA, use the latest technology and industry techniques to treat dental problems like underbites, overbites, and crowded teeth. With over three decades of experience and more than 6,000 satisfied patients, our team is proud to answer all frequently asked questions about braces, whether about rubber bands for braces or alternative options like clear aligners, to educate patients and ensure total comfort. Schedule your appointment with Maldonado Orthodontics today at (504) 215-7987.
