Orthodontic care has been around for decades, but even as the technology and methodology change and upgrade, some commonly asked questions have survived year after year. At Elm Tree Orthodontics, we believe in patient education. You deserve to have all the facts to make the best decision for you and your family. To help you start your orthodontic research journey, we’ve put together our practice’s orthodontic FAQs!
Is There A Set Age For Patients?
Nope! Orthodontic work can be advantageous for children, teens, and adults!
Teens are often great orthodontic candidates thanks to their still-developing jaw and the fact that they have all or most of their adult teeth, but they are not the only age group for which orthodontic work can occur.
The American Association Of Orthodontists encourages you to bring your children to be examined by an orthodontist before age seven. While most children will not start care until they are older, and some might never need to start, it is best to have kids assessed at a young age so potential problems can be found and dealt with early in development. The earlier we catch issues, the easier they are to improve! Orthodontic work is often simpler and quicker to perform on children because their bones have not solidified yet, saving your child time, money, and discomfort when they are older.
Don’t let that previous sentence make you think it’s too late for you! It’s never too late to invest in your smile. Though you might have a longer, potentially more complicated journey than a child to fix the same issues, it is not a lost cause (and honestly, isn’t it always more challenging for adults to heal than kids anyway?)! You can still achieve the smile of your dreams using metal braces, InBrace hidden braces, or clear aligners.
Everyone deserves a beautiful, functional smile they are proud of, regardless of age, and Elm Tree Orthodontics has you covered.
What Are The Benefits Of Orthodontics?
Orthodontic treatment has many benefits, depending on your needs and lifestyle. Let’s check them out:
- Increased probability of getting jobs after in-person interviews
- Better likelihood of getting a second date
- Easier time making friends
This difference in favor is because straight teeth deliver a better first impression. Society associates straight teeth (or a conventionally attractive smile) with:
- Success
- Good health
- Cleanliness
- Happiness
Orthodontic care helps improve your smile’s cosmetic appearance and benefit your mental health by enhancing your social and professional life.
Some health benefits of an aligned smile include the following:
- Easier oral hygiene routine
- Decreased risk of gum disease, tooth decay, bad breath, and other oral health concerns
- Reduce risk, challenges, and pain when eating
- Smoother communication process
- Enhanced breathing abilities by opening airways and fixing tongue posture/placement
- Reduced risk of damaged teeth
- Reduced risk of digestive problems like heartburn, dry mouth, constipation, and bloating
- Helps with children’s facial structure development
In short, orthodontic care can significantly improve your quality of life by positively impacting your physical, mental, and oral health! Orthodontic treatment can address both health and cosmetic concerns, allowing you to like what you see in the mirror and spend less time in front of it trying to improve it.
Do I Really Have To Change My Diet?
Well, that depends on the kind of treatment you receive!
If you are patient with InBrace lingual braces (braces that sit behind your teeth), you will unlikely need to change your diet.
Those with removable braces also do not need to change their diets because they must remove their clear aligners for eating and drinking. But we do suggest avoiding products that can stain your teeth, like coffee, tea, wine, or tomato-based items. The residue left behind on your teeth by these products can transfer to your trays and produce discoloration, making them more visible to others. This minor adjustment will help keep your Invisalign and Spark clear aligners transparent for as long as possible. However, changing the diet is not required for clear aligners because the trays are replaced every two weeks. So, even if the trays become stained, you will have a new set to wear shortly!
On the other hand, if you have traditional metal braces, you must change your diet to protect your oral health and the excellent condition of your braces. The wrong kinds of food can get stuck in and break your braces and can even make oral hygiene a frustrating challenge, so watching what you eat is critical! Patients with clear braces are encouraged to avoid staining food and drink, but again, it’s unnecessary. When we adjust your wire every six to eight weeks, we swap out your clear ligatures, replacing stained rubber bands anyway. Your braces will look good as new!
To learn more about the braces diet, click here!
Should I Brace Myself For Pain With Braces?
Though braces can and are expected to be uncomfortable, they should not be painful! But what do we mean by that? We’ll tell you!
New braces, whether removable or fixed, can cause some irritation as your mouth adjusts to the foreign object in the mouth. It might pinch and poke at your cheeks, but you can relieve this with Orajel or orthodontic wax. After every wire adjustment appointment or putting in a new aligner for the first time, you will have a similar tenderness. Any swelling and soreness you get from these adjustment periods can be treated with ice packs or over-the-counter pain medications. All of this is normal and is predicted to some degree!
But your braces should not hurt! Unless you have experienced facial trauma or your braces are broken or ill-fitting, you should be a-okay. If your appliances are causing you intense pain that surpasses discomfort, please contact Dr. Desai immediately so we can find and fix the issue ASAP! You know yourself better than anyone; please don’t hesitate to call if you feel something is wrong.
Where Can I Go If I Have More Questions?
Elm Tree Orthodontics, of course! Dr. Desai and his team are always here for you, no matter your phase of treatment. We’re happy to help prospective patients figure out the ins and outs of care and assist new patients in narrowing down their options. We’re also ready to help patients who have completed treatment but still need help with aftercare or their retainer.
To get started, schedule a free consultation with us! Dr. Desai will thoroughly examine your teeth, gums, and facial structure to help you determine a treatment program and pick the best treatment option for you!
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