How Do Braces Work and Do They Hurt?
Braces work by gradually tightening the wires connecting the brackets and moving them into the correct position to create a straighter smile.
Your orthodontist will attach the brackets to each tooth and connect them with a metal wire and rubber bands. The metal wire and rubber bands adjust to maintain the tightness necessary to align the teeth.
Braces generally aren’t painful, but they can cause some discomfort after you first get them on and some adjustment appointments. Over-the-counter pain relievers are usually enough to alleviate discomfort. Thankfully, this discomfort should go away after a couple of days.
How Long Do I Have to Wear Braces?
This answer depends on the severity of the issues needing correction. However, the average treatment time is between one and two years.
Patients with more complex or severe orthodontic issues will need to wear their braces longer than those with a simple alignment issue.
How Do I Care for My Braces?
Braces consist of wires and brackets attached to your teeth. This attachment requires additional care to prevent food and plaque build-up and keep your mouth healthy during treatment.
Thorough Oral Hygiene Routine
Excellent hygiene is necessary to minimize food and plaque build-up that could cause tooth decay or gum disease. It isn’t essential to brush your teeth more often, but patients should take more time to brush and floss thoroughly every day, especially after eating.
Avoidance of Certain Foods
Sticky, hard, and overly crunchy foods can potentially damage the wire and brackets. In addition, gum, taffy, hard fruits and veggies, popcorn, and corn on the cob can stick to and bend the brackets and wires.
Do I Still Need to Visit My Dentist Regularly?
It is essential to continue regularly scheduled dental visits for oral health. While our goal is to align your teeth, the purpose of the dentist is to keep those teeth clean and healthy.
What Happens When I Get My Braces Off?
After your braces come off, our team will give you a set of retainers to keep your teeth aligned after successfully achieving a beautiful smile and removing braces. Since teeth can still shift back after treatment, wearing your retainer as instructed will help ensure your smile stays straight.
How Can I Learn More About My Options?
The decision to get braces is personal and an investment in your overall health. Regardless of what needs correcting or the type of braces you choose, our team is here to help.
Guidry & Horaist Orthodontics is a professional orthodontics team driven to help you achieve a beautiful smile with less pain, time, and expense. Our state-of-the-art orthodontic equipment gives you the best fit and options for alignment. We offer complimentary consultations and flexible payment options to help remove any obstacles to starting treatment.