What You Need to Know About
Braces
For many kids (and for some adults,
too!), braces are a fact of life. Dental braces are used for so many
purposes but mainly to straighten crooked teeth.
Having straight teeth is important.
Crooked, out of place, or misaligned teeth can affect the way you
chew, talk, or smile. What’s more, because they have unnatural
spaces, crooked teeth are harder to clean and are therefore more
likely to have cavities. Sometimes, the teeth are so crooked that it
can even affect the way the jaws line up, causing great pain and
discomfort.
This condition is more commonly
referred to as “malocclusion”, which means “bad bite.” Other
examples of malocclusion are crowded teeth, extra teeth, missing
teeth or jaws that are out of alignment.
Malocclusion is a hereditary
condition. There are some cases, however, where the condition can be
acquired, in which case, the malocclusion is often brought about by
accidents, early or late loss of baby teeth, or sucking of the thumb
or fingers for a prolonged period of time.
When left unchecked, the malocclusion
can cause some permanent deformity around the bone structure of the
mouth. Add to that the fact that the condition can cause some
discomfort and pain and you can see how braces can benefit those
people with malocclusion.
What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is the science of using
devices to move teeth and align jaws. It is a special discipline of
dentistry concerned with improving one’s smile and oral health.
An orthodontist, therefore, is
someone who specializes in treating problems like crooked or crowded
teeth, overbites or underbites, incorrect jaw position and disorders
of the jaw joints with the use of devices, such as dental braces.
Why get braces?
There is a certain amount of social
stigma placed on people wearing braces. Even though the thing is
largely for a healthful purpose, it does not seem to dissuade people
from noticing that a person with braces is different from a person
with none.
Also, the wearing of braces can be
highly inconvenient and downright painful. It would require a major
change in your lifestyle, especially your diet and eating habits.
You may be required to wear it for a maximum number of years, during
which time you will have to suffer the ridicule of a few
narrow-minded people and the pain of having these metal braces
pressing against your mouth.
However, before you get discouraged
by doomsday thoughts on how your social life will most positively
end in the most spectacularly metallic way possible, think about
what benefits you will gain after a few years of not-quite as
horrendous as you think experience of wearing braces.
Because the thing is, most people
have nothing but misconceptions about dental braces.
So allow us to show you the real side
of the story.
When is the right time for braces?
Teeth can be moved at any age.
However, if you want “ideal” results, it is best to start early.
Usually, the younger you are the better the results and the easier
time you will have.
The reason given is that in children
both the bone around the teeth (called the “alveolar process”) and
the jaw bones can be molded by braces as the child grows. But if you
got your braces as an adult, the device can no longer mold the jaw
bones. For that, you would have to undergo surgery.
Orthodontists often recommend the
ages of 3-12 as the ideal age to start undergoing orthodontic
treatments. In a child’s case, the orthodontist’s function is
two-fold: to create straight well-aligned teeth and to improve the
facial profile. In adults, orthodontists can only correct the
former, with the latter case (facial profile) remaining stable
throughout adolescence and adulthood.
In addition, braces in adults are
made more difficult by the fact that you may have to wear retainers
at night for the rest of your life, or risk having to undergo
treatment again. Retainers will help maintain the results of the
treatment.
Does it have to be so metallic
though?
There are many types of braces used.
Orthodontists may recommend a specific type that would be best for
your particular problem. In any case, you have a choice out of three
varieties:
·
Plastic
·
Metal
·
Ceramic
Recent advances in techniques and
orthodontic technology have also spawned some new types of braces
that answer the problem of conspicuousness and discomfort. Now,
braces are smaller and have contours that are more comfortable for
the tissues in your mouth.
The steely, metallic types are still
the most common types of orthodontic braces around. By their very
nature, these braces are durable and there is less of a chance that
some parts of them would accidentally break off.
However, if you are bothered by how
your mouth looks while wearing these types of metallic braces, you
can ask your orthodontist to fix you ceramic braces or plastic
braces. These are usually “tooth-colored” so they are far less
noticeable.
But these braces are often high-end
and may cost more, so you would have to shell out some funds first
before getting one set.
Another option you have is the
“lingual type.” These are brackets that attach to the back of your
teeth, so they are hidden from view. Again, these types of cosmetic
braces may be more expensive than your old, regular, run-of-the mill
metal bands.
How long before you can take them
off?
Well, this would depend on the type
of orthodontic treatment plan you have. Some plans are more
complicated than others. Other factors that could affect how long
you would have to wear the braces are the type of problem you have
and your age.
Usually, the more complicated your
spacing or bite problem is, the longer the period of treatment.
Likewise if you are older, the treatment plan may take longer, too.
On the average, patients can count on
wearing full braces between 18 and 30 months. After that, for at
least a few months, you may have to wear retainers to set and align
tissues surrounding the straightened teeth.
Will treatment be uncomfortable?
There will be some discomfort
involved. Each time you visit your orthodontist, he would tighten
the interconnecting wires. This would cause additional mild pressure
from the brackets or bands in order to shift teeth or jaws gradually
into the desired position.
Your teeth and jaws will probably
feel sore after each visit. However, the discomfort is only brief
and will disappear after a while.
What you should be concerned about is
the fact that some teeth may be extracted to make room for teeth
being shifted with braces and for proper jaw alignment. But the
procedure for this is painless.
Would it mean a complete lifestyle
change for you?
Of course not! It’s just braces. It’s
not like you’re suddenly moving to Timbuktu and dropping everything
you have going. But you do have to change some of your personal
habits and avoid certain types of foods.
Cut down on sweets, chips and pop.
Sugary and starchy foods like these can generate a lot of acid and
plaque in the mouth. High acidity and plaque can, in turn, cause
tooth decay and promote gum disease.
Eat “healthy” foods instead.
Basically, a well-balanced diet is a safe bet. However, be sure to
cut hard foods like carrots or apples into smaller pieces before
eating them.
Avoid sticky, chewy sweets like
caramel. This kind of foods has a bad tendency to stick to your
braces, causing wire damage and loosening of the brackets.
Also, avoid hard and crunchy snacks
like popcorn, nuts, and hard candy. These things have the potential
to break braces and may even cause you to swallow some
portion of your braces. While swallowed portions of braces are
typically harmless and have no trouble of making their way to the
exit, it is still not a very desirable experience to go through.
And lastly, whatever you do, do NOT
do any of the following:
-
Excessive mouth breathing
-
Pushing your tongue against your
teeth
Oral hygiene?
Is still as important as ever, if not
even more so. Braces have tiny spaces where food particles and
plaque can get trapped. After every meal, brush your teeth carefully
using fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Pay closer
attention to the portions where the wires stick to your teeth as
these are the likeliest places that food particles end up stuck.
After brushing, rinse thoroughly.
Check your teeth in the mirror to make sure that they are clean.
Don’t forget to floss. And floss not
just between teeth but also between braces and underwires. This
might require a bit of finger dexterity on your part. To make
easier, use a floss threader.
In addition to your daily routine, it
is also recommended that you have your teeth cleaned every six
months. This is so that your teeth and gums remain healthy and
strong. Insufficient cleaning while wearing braces can cause enamel
staining around the brackets or bands.
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