Braces FAQ

Braces help millions of people in the United States today who suffer from alignment and subsequently oral health issues. When left untreated, dental issues can lead to serious health defects including chronic gum disease, bone destruction, TMJ, severe tooth decay and even the loss of teeth. Call our office today to determine if braces are right for you.

Braces can be worn from one to four years, depending on a patient’s case. Each patient is different and will require a different length of treatment.

Braces are actually designed to minimize discomfort. However, most patients do experience some soreness in the first few days after treatment or when braces are adjusted. An over-the-counter pain medication will help reduce any soreness or discomfort in most cases.

Anyone at any age can qualify for orthodontic treatment. However, most orthodontists and the American Association of Orthodontists recommend that children should be evaluated for treatment at the age of seven so that the doctor can evaluate any potential problems and develop a course of action for treatment. As with most things, an early diagnosis is easier to treat.

When orthodontic problems are not taken care of, patients with misalignment, overlapping, and crowding can experience severe tooth decay, chronic gum disease, the destruction of bone, painful TMJ issues, and in some cases, even tooth loss.

Braces make your teeth straight and straight teeth are healthier teeth. When your teeth and jaw are properly aligned, they function better and give you a more beautiful smile. And when you look better because have a beautiful smile, you feel better about yourself as a whole.

While you can definitely play sports with braces, doctors recommend that you wear a mouth guard while doing so. Our team can help you pick the mouth guard that is right for you and your extracurricular activities.

Those wearing braces should avoid sticky foods such as taffy, caramel or chewing gum, as well as harder foods including carrots and raw apples unless they are cut up into small pieces. Some foods, such as popcorn, can get lodged in your wires and push them out. After you get your braces, we will provide you with a pamphlet that addresses all of your food concerns.

While this rarely happens, it can. If your braces break, or if you experience any pain or discomfort, call our office immediately so that we can make the repair as soon as possible. Procrastinating repairs can lengthen the amount of time a patient needs to wear braces.

In addition to accepting payment by cash, check or credit card, we have outside financing through CareCredit® and OrthoBanc® available for those who need to make payments over a longer period of time.