20 Things You Should Know Before Getting Braces
So, you’ve found yourself curious of braces? Perhaps your teeth are a little crooked, or your daughters overbite needs some help. Whatever the reason, you’re not alone: over four million Americans are wearing braces at this very moment. But there are some things you should know about braces before you dive into the orthodontic deep end.
1) You may have a minor lisp
So you may have a minor lisp when you get your teeth straightened with braces. Why? When you attach metal brackets to the teeth, there’s almost no way that it won’t impact the way you speak. Please don’t worry if you find your speech impacted after getting braces from us in Asheville, you will get used to talking with the extra hardware in a short amount of time. This is a first step on the way to the straight teeth you’ve always wanted!
As a side note, you may want to consider Invisalign or Impressions if this is a major concern.
2) Don’t forget to bring lip balm
Lip balm is going to be crucial to your comfort during treatment. This is true even from the first day, when your orthodontist applies the brackets to your mouth. This process can take a couple hours, and there’s no way to moisten your lips while it takes place. You’d be wise to bring some nourishing lip balm with you to your appointment to avoid discomfort.
3) The application of the actual braces hurts
There really isn’t any way to sugar coat this: the application of braces doesn’t feel good. The process itself will take up to two hours to complete, and during that time the patient should expect to feel some pain and discomfort. Since you’re already out and will be at the office for a couple of hours, why not take off the rest of the afternoon to recover with a smoothie and some favorite movies?
4) There’s an uncomfortable feeling for the first few weeks
You’ve probably never had anything stuck to the front of your tooth before, and now there are two rows of brackets adhered to each chomper. It’s going to be an adjustment getting used to braces, but this will happen remarkably fast. In a matter of weeks, you won’t even remember what you looked like before you had braces on!
5) Flossing is a challenge
Flossing has never been the easiest activity一although it’s one of the most important一and braces don’t help. Most people who have braces find flossing to be nearly impossible. While that may be true, it doesn’t change the fact that cleaning your teeth is crucial to your health, with or without braces.
Some items that could help include flossing threaders, which help pull regular floss through the gap, or a water flosser, which uses a narrow stream of water to displace leftover food particles. While water flossers are easier to use with braces, most dentists don’t recommend them as a substitute to braces.
6) People of all ages have braces
You may not have noticed it before, but folks of all ages use braces to achieve the smile they’ve always wanted. Once you have braces on, you’ll realize just how many others are going through the same process that you are.
7) It won’t matter to a potential crush
People with braces have not always been painted in the best light by movies and TV shows, but reality is much better! So many of us have either had braces or currently have them that they’re now considered totally normal. That special person at school or work isn’t going to care if you have braces; they are going to love your smile!
8) Food will get stuck in your braces
This is a definite. Food will naturally get stuck in and around your braces. We recommend traveling with a braces care kit or anything that contains a spare toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and floss threaders. And parents: remember to pack something like this in your child’s backpack when they head back to school.
9) Tightening is essential but it can hurt
Tightening braces can hurt a bit, but the pain will soon fade and you will be one step closer to the smile that you’ve always wanted. This is obviously going to be different for everyone, but if you are someone who is considering braces, it’s important that you’re aware.
10) Your teeth will change a lot in the first month alone
Braces make quick work of reshaping the look of your teeth and smile. In just the first month alone, you should notice a much straighter set of pearly whites. Just imagine what they’ll look like after you get then taken off in Weste!
11) Braces will make your lips look little different
The hardware that comes standard with braces will push your lips out, making them look more pronounced. Please note that those same brackets may cut your lips on occasion, so we recommend keeping some wax at home.
12) You’ll be part of a special club
When you get braces, you’ll begin to recognize others who are going through the same thing, and you’ll undoubtedly bond over your shared style of treatment. The bond that’s created between you and another person with braces could turn into something to smile about years down the road!
13) Wax is a lifesaver
Orthodontic wax is usually applied to the brackets on your teeth to protect your lips from rubbing or abrasions, which will be a huge relief especially during the early months. Make sure that you talk to your dentist about the proper way to apply wax to your brackets and don’t forget to take wax off before you start eating a meal.
14) Food can get stuck for long periods of time
One of the most challenging parts of having braces is dealing with food and leftover food particles, even those items that are suggested as part of our Unbeatable Braces Friendly Diet. Unfortunately, it’s very common for a piece of food to be stuck in your braces for a long period of time only to become dislodged hours later. This isn’t particularly pleasant, and if you’re an adult in the workplace or worried about this phenomenon, be sure to bring a cleaning kit with you everywhere you go.
15) The time will fly by
This may be debatable, but for most patients, especially those that embrace the process and look forward to the outcome, the time they spend with braces on tends to fly by. While treatment can take anywhere from eight months to two years, most people get so accustomed to their braces that they are amazed when it’s already time to take them off.
16) They’re expensive, but it’s worth it
All orthodontic care tends to be expensive, and braces are no different. Some countries provide better coverage for expenses like braces than others, but most people will end up paying something out of pocket. Even though it requires some money, braces are definitely worth it in the end. The feelings of confidence and joy that you get as a result truly are priceless.
Our practice is proud to work with most insurance companies and offer financing options. Contact our offices for more information.
17) You may have setbacks
Setbacks are a natural part of life, and with braces it’s no different. Your orthodontist may only realize something specific to your case after treatment has been underway, and they could add a couple extra months to the length of time that you’ll be wearing braces. This shouldn’t be something you stress over一you know those brackets are coming off eventually!
18) Your bite is as important as straight teeth
Many people think of braces as just a device to straighten the alignment of your teeth, but they are also crucial to correcting your bite. Over or underbites are just as important to a perfect smile as the position of the individual teeth. This can add some time to treatment overall, but it will be worth it.
19) Smoothies will be your best friend
Smoothies are a braces-wearer’s best friend, especially in the early months of treatment or after a tightening. It would be smart to learn how to make a delicious, protein and nutrient rich smoothie, and every now and then, indulge in a chocolate milkshake for good measure.
20) Your smile is worth the investment
All the pain and discomfort that you endure during the period of treatment will absolutely disappear from your mind the moment that you get your braces off. There really is no comparison to the feeling of having a perfect smile, and braces will definitely give you something to smile about.
If you or someone you know is interested in getting braces, contact our office to set up an appointment. Our doctors are very familiar with braces and have been treating families in the Asheville area for many years. If you are interested in Invisalign instead, then we recommend reading this next.
