While traditional braces are a fairly straightforward treatment option when it comes to correcting dental issues like crowded teeth or an overbite, there are certain factors that you need to be aware of moving forward. Don't worry— none of this is as complicated as it sounds. Your dental professional will go over all of this with you in great detail during your initial free consultation so that you can make the best and most informed decisions possible regarding your oral health.
What Types of Food Should I Avoid?
While you will likely find that your diet won't change in any significant way during your treatment, there ARE certain foods you should avoid. This is because food particles can either become trapped inside or around the brackets and wires, or they could dislodge the brackets and wires altogether if you're not careful.
These foods include but are not limited to things like:
Crunchy foods, like nuts
Hard foods, like hard candies
Chewy foods, like soft pretzels
Foods that are sticky, like licorice or certain types of candies
How Long Does Treatment Take?
The answer to this question will vary wildly depending on the patient and their specific needs. Certain types of dental issues take longer to correct than others, and everyone's mouth is a little bit different from the next.
Generally speaking, most people can expect to wear traditional braces for somewhere between six and 18 months. After your free consultation, your dental professional will be able to tell you with certainty how long you will be wearing your braces.
Do Braces Hurt?
In the vast majority of all cases, most people don't report any type of pain associated with traditional braces at all. Because there will be metal brackets and wires permanently attached to your mouth, you'll definitely be aware that they're there, but most people get used to this sensation sooner rather than later.
Sometimes, you may feel soreness in your mouth under certain situations - but again, most people find that this passes fairly quickly.
Am I Too Old For Braces?
Absolutely not— and never let anyone tell you otherwise. Many people assume that traditional braces are only good for young people who have jaws that are still developing, but those people would be wrong.
In fact, one recent study confirmed that nearly 27% of all orthodontic patients are actually adults. This is because dental problems like the kind that traditional braces are designed to correct can develop at any age— meaning that it is NEVER too late to seek treatment on your own terms.
How Much Do Braces Cost?
This question is a difficult one to answer, as it actually varies based on a wide range of different factors.
The total length of your treatment will obviously impact the cost, as certain types of dental issues will take a longer and more involved treatment to correct than others. How well you follow the instructions of caring for your braces will also play an important role. If you make an effort to avoid foods like those listed above and don't experience any other issues, your treatment probably won't be delayed and the cost won't increase. If your braces become damaged or need to be adjusted in some way, however, that will likely extend the amount of time you'll have to wear them— thus driving up the cost at the exact same time.