7 Things You Should Know Before Getting Braces

Getting braces can be scary for anyone. But it doesn’t have to be. With advancements in orthodontics, having braces can actually be a good experience, and can lead to many health and aesthetic benefits.

At Little Heroes Dentistry, we not only help kids, we can also serve you – the parents. So regardless of your age, our Sidekicks are more than capable of getting the job done. If you’ve been thinking about braces for you or your child then consider Little Heroes Dentistry.

Though dental braces and the procedures to put them on have changed over the recent years, there are still many misconceptions about them. That’s why we want to explain some basic things to you before you commit to several years of orthodontic treatment.

So think about these things before getting braces.

1. There is no age limit for dental braces.

When most of us think about braces, we usually picture a middle school teenager, smiling shyly with a mouth full of wires. But the truth is that younger children and older adults are starting to reap the benefits of orthodontic treatment. There truly is no age limit for braces, and really, adults can benefit greatly from maintaining a healthy smile into their golden years. So if you’re looking to fix that misalignment in your child’s mouth, or if you need to have a little bit of maintenance on your own pearly whites, then consider meeting with your orthodontist to see what options are available for you. 

2. Straight teeth are a benefit, but great oral health is the goal.

Now certainly, having straight teeth is probably the biggest reason many decide to have orthodontic treatment. But one of the hidden beauties about braces is that they do so much more for your oral health care. Our team at Little Heroes will evaluate and build up a comprehensive oral review including an analysis of your “bite”. Your bite greatly affects your ability to chew and speak properly, and can also be the reason behind that jaw pain and those headaches. Remember, your mouth functioning correctly and having great oral health is the ultimate reason you’ll want to get braces.

3. Don’t stress over bracket types.

This is especially true for teenagers. Not everybody is able to use Invisalign or any of the other specially concealed bracket types. Sometimes this means that your best option is going to be traditional-styled braces. Yes, this can be a tough pill for your young one to swallow, but you’ll want to listen to your dentist’s recommendation because their advice will ultimately lead to the finest results. Plus, forcing your way into an option not suitable for their needs can eventually lead to them having to return to traditional brackets any ways. Listen to the pros.

4. Cost varies.

The truth of the matter is that braces are not cheap. The cost of braces is dependent on a number of things including: age, location, the clinic servicing your needs, and whether or not there are any other complicating issues to need to be resolved. Typically, braces will cost anywhere between $3,000 to $6,000 (assuming there aren’t any other major issues). You may also see an increase in price depending on which brackets you decide to go with. “Invisible”-styled brackets are going to be more expensive, as they are more costly to manufacture, and because they might require the dentist spend additional time on your treatment.

5. Two years is the average treatment period.

You, or your child, will probably be wondering how long those braces will be on for? Well, it really does depend on each individual case, but the average treatment is usually about 24 months. Also, it’s important to recognize that the total treatment time can really be affected by your ability to correctly follow the orthodontist’s orders. If you make bad oral health care decisions, then in all likelihood, you’ll have to keep them on for longer than expected. However, if you take care of your teeth during the entire process and avoid disapproved foods, you’ll help the process run smoother and quicker. Remember to always take care of your teeth during and after braces. You don’t want a perfectly good smile to be ruined by some lousy choices.

6. Pain is inevitable.

There’s no need to beat around the bush. It’s going to hurt to wear braces at first. Now, it’s not going to come from the process of putting them on your teeth, but rather from the pressure that comes after a couple of days. You’ll likely feel sore in your teeth, and unfortunately, the brackets are going to rub the inside of your mouth and leave some sores. But don’t worry, this stage only lasts for a couple of weeks. Go ahead and take some aspirin to help you deal with the pain and make sure to take your time chewing food slowly. It may be uncomfortable at the beginning, but after some time the braces won’t bother you as much.

7. Braces are only the beginning.

Whether or not you took great care of your teeth prior to braces, you are going to want to AFTER. Oral hygiene is going to be essential during and after the orthodontic treatment. This means you’ll have to brush your teeth frequently (ideally after every meal), because food debris can easily get stuck in the brackets, as well as floss on a daily basis. Also, think about getting a dental kit to keep with you on your daily outings.

After taking your braces off, you’ll want to be even more diligent about taking care of that gorgeous smile. Make sure to maintain your oral hygiene routine and not get lazy. After years of hard work, and thousands of dollars spent on perfecting that smile, do you really want to let it all go to waste? Last, but not least, make sure to wear your retainer every night and as recommended by your dentist. Failing to do so can lead to teeth moving around and ultimately undoing all the effort you put in.

If you’re ready to show off those pearly whites and give the world a little bit of sunshine, then give Little Heroes Pediatric Dentistry a call to our Laredo, Mission, or San Juan office and let us show you what braces option is best for you.