Braces are an extremely popular treatment for patients with orthodontic issues, including crooked teeth, overcrowding and spaces between the teeth. In recent years, the range of treatments available to patients has increased significantly, treatment times have decreased year on year and many more adult patients are choosing to have treatment. If you’re thinking about having treatment to straighten your teeth or correct your bite, here are ten things you need to know about wearing braces:
- Braces can be painful, but only for the first few days
Many people assume that wearing a brace is going to be very painful, but the reality is that pain wears off very quickly and you’ll soon get used to wearing your braces and it will become second nature. Initially, you may be advised to take pain relief to ease any discomfort.
- Braces will not make you have a lisp
Many patients worry that having braces will cause them to speak with a lisp, but any changes to your speech will be short-term. Once you get used to wearing your braces and talking, you will find that your speech returns to normal very quickly.
- Train-tracks are not your only option
Train-tracks are the image most people conjure up when somebody mentions braces, but there are so many options available now and you don’t have to have fixed braces. You can choose from removable aligners, clear fixed braces and lingual braces, which are secured to the back of the teeth.
- Braces can work very quickly
If you’ve been thinking of getting braces, you may be expecting to wear them for at least 12 months, but you may be pleasantly surprised to hear that braces work very quickly now and some only take a matter of weeks to straighten the teeth. Treatment times usually reflect the amount of movement that is required.
- It is possible to get invisible braces!
Invisible braces used to be an impossible dream for many patients, but nowadays they are very much a reality. Whether you opt for clear aligners or lingual braces, you can have treatment with absolutely no worries about the look of your smile.
- You can kiss with braces
It’s a popular myth that you can’t kiss with braces and many will be familiar with horror stories about braces getting stuck together, but the reality is that you can kiss with braces and the risk of braces getting stuck is extremely small, as modern braces are fine and light. Like everything with new braces, it can take a little time to get used to kissing, but this is not something you should be worried about.
- Braces need to be kept clean
It’s really important to take extra care to keep your mouth as clean as possible when you have braces. Braces can trap bits of food and bacteria and this increases the risk of decay and gum disease. Your dentist will show you how to clean your braces when you have them fitted.
- Wearing braces is worth the effort
Many people are unsure whether to go ahead and have treatment, but if you have concerns about the look of your teeth or your dentist has recommended braces for oral health reasons, wearing braces is worthwhile. At the end of it all, you’ll have an amazing looking smile and all the effort will have been worthwhile.
- Wearing Braces can be cool
A lot has been said about the uncoolness of wearing braces and many people, especially teenagers, are worried about what others will think when they start wearing braces; however, society’s attitude to braces has changed over the years and they are much more widely accepted. Many celebrities, including Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus and Tom Cruise, have showcased braces like Incognito.
- Wearing Braces can be beneficial even if you minor issues
If you have very minor problems, such as single crooked tooth, this doesn’t mean that there’s no point in asking about orthodontic treatment. There are many treatments available nowadays, which are specifically designed for patients with minor issues. Treatment times are usually very short.