Braces

Decades ago, the stereotype of braces was a series of metal plates bonded to the teeth and connected by a wire. While those types of braces still exist, there are others that are used quite frequently today.

In addition to the traditional metal plates, you can get braces that are clear and almost invisible. Further, some braces allow you to adjust them yourself, meaning fewer visits to the dentist.  Still other braces may be removable, allowing you to take them out before eating or drinking.

When you have braces, you may be limited on the kinds of food and beverages you can consume. This is important for a number of reasons.  Food that is too sticky or tacky can end up causing your braces to come loose, meaning you’ll have to come back to get them reattached and/or adjusted.

Also, due to the fact that braces involve brackets being attached to your teeth, certain kinds of food and beverage may be harder to clean from the surface of your teeth. This could mean you’ll have stubborn stains if you do not follow the instructions regarding abstaining from these things.

Further, when you first get your braces, you can expect a little bit of discomfort. This is because the braces are actually realigning your teeth.  Any time your teeth move in their sockets you will have some discomfort to go along with it. Fortunately, this sensation should pass relatively quickly as you adjust.  In the meantime, stick to soft foods, and take a painkiller such as ibuprofen if necessary. If the discomfort persists or is too much, be sure to contact us so we can check everything out.