Braces 101: What to Expect

Your First Consultation with an OrthodontistBefore the treatment is decided, your family orthodontist will ask you some questions to check whether you are a candidate for braces.

Tip: Get an idea about the cost of the treatment during the course of the conversation.

Your First Visit to Decide on the Dental Braces – This can happen right after your initial consultation or it can be a separate appointment. Here, the orthodontist will take x-rays of your mouth and create a 3D model that will decide the type of braces to use. It will also help the orthodontist to plan your treatment.

The Process of Putting on the Braces – The process of putting the braces on is painless and takes about less than two hours. Braces are glued to your teeth with the help of special cement.

Regular Check-Ups with the Orthodontist – Every month the orthodontist will schedule an appointment to check the progress of your mouth. During some of these visits, the orthodontist may tighten the braces for better results.

Tightening of the Braces – Braces are positioned to move your teeth slowly and steadily, one step at a time. If all the teeth are moved at once, it causes unbearable pain with the risk of getting your mouth damaged. Therefore, your treatment is divided into phases. At the beginning of every phase, the braces will be tightened. You might feel discomfort and pain every time your dental braces are tightened.

Duration of the treatment – It can take 1.5 to 3 years for the treatment to finish. Adults’ mouths are less pliable therefore they take more time than children.

Removing the Braces – When your treatment is over, the dental braces will be taken off. It is a painless process and with a little amount of force the braces will come off easily.

Braces 101: Living with Braces – Now that dental braces are a part of your life, you will need to pick up new habits and learn to do your regular things a little differently.

Your new braces need care – You will need to take extra care while brushing your teeth to ensure that food is not stuck in between your braces and your teeth. This will help in avoiding tooth stains. Ask your orthodontist the right way to brush your teeth to prevent braces stains.

Foods to avoid – You will have to limit some types of foods during your treatment. Avoid the following foods:

• Hard foods- hard candies, nuts
• Chewy foods- beef jerky, bagels
• Crunchy foods- ice, caramel
• Sticky foods- caramel candies
• Foods that you need to bite on- carrots, apples

Foods to include in your diet – You might want to include foods that can strengthen tooth enamel. Include these foods in your diet:

• Bread – pancakes, muffins without nuts
• Dairy – pudding, soft cheese
• Vegetables – mashed potatoes, beans
• Meat/Poultry – meatballs, soft cooked chicken
• Seafood – salmon, crab cakes, tuna
• Fruits – applesauce, fruit juice, bananas
• Grains – soft cooked rice, pasta
• Treats – ice cream, soft cake

Managing the occasional pain – There might be occasional pain, which is actually a good sign. That means your dental braces are doing their job. To reduce the pain, you might want to indulge in frozen treats to numb the pain or you could administer OTC medications like ibuprofen.

Dental Braces are a solid investment you make to have a healthy smile. Request a consultation from an experienced orthodontist in Lawrenceville. Call Koch Orthodontics today!