Knowing what to expect before getting braces can help you get through the treatment without hindering your quality of life. Don’t hesitate to ask your orthodontist questions about the brace-wearing period. With their support, you can achieve excellent results.
Here are three key things to know before getting braces.
1. You Have Several Options
Many people mistakenly believe that traditional metal braces are the only option they have. In reality, depending on your individual traits and goals, you can choose from several types of dental braces:
Metal braces — brackets and metal wires are attached to your teeth to adjust their positioning. Today, you can get braces with heat-activated archwires that take advantage of heat in your mouth to help teeth move quicker and gentler.
Ceramic braces — these braces work similarly to their metal counterparts. However, they are made of ceramic material that doesn’t stand out when attached to your teeth.
Invisalign — these braces are made from clear plastic. The aligners are worn over your teeth. They are easy to remove and replace. However, these braces are more expensive and can’t help with severe orthodontic problems.
Speed (Self–Ligating) braces — unlike traditional braces, these braces use clips instead of ties to connect the archwire to the bracket. You need to speak to your orthodontist to figure out which option is the most suitable for your needs, goals, and budget.
2. You Need to Adjust Your Diet
To keep your braces in top shape and minimize discomfort while wearing them, you need to adjust your diet. Foods you should forget about include:
– Gum
– Taffy
– Nuts
– Sticky and hard candy
– Ice
– Hard fruits (you can cut them into pieces before eating)
– Chewable vitamins
– Bread crust
Anything that’s hard, chewy, sticky, and crunchy should be eliminated from your diet. Otherwise, you could dislocate or damage your braces. Additionally, such foods could make braces hard to clean.
While it may seem like a serious restriction, in reality, you don’t need to change your diet drastically. All the above foods can easily be replaced by other options, improving your health in the process.
3. You May Experience Discomfort
Just like any treatment, wearing braces can cause some discomfort.
By following your orthodontist’s instructions, you can avoid excessive discomfort and get used to wearing braces quickly.
You’ll experience some discomfort when you just put braces on and after each adjustment. However, it will go away quickly. Remember, the uncomfortable sensation only proves that the braces are doing their job, and your teeth are moving.
Take the First Step Today
Getting braces is an important step that doesn’t just bring you closer to a beautiful smile. It improves your health. While you may experience some discomfort and need to adjust your diet, the results are well worth the effort. At Schwab Orthodontics, we tailor our treatment to each patient’s individual needs. If you’d like to learn more about braces, give us a call at any convenient time.
