Life with Braces

Braces have become very common over the last few decades, perfecting smiles of people all over the United States. With advancements in dentistry, new forms of braces are now available depending upon your preference and need. The purpose of any type of dental brace is to align and help straighten your teeth. Whether you have overcrowding, an overbite, or an under-bite, braces can help achieve the smile you want.

What Types of Braces Are There?

• Metal braces are the traditional form of braces; they use connected wires and bands to help align teeth.
• Ceramic/clear braces are similar to traditional braces, except they have a less noticeable appearance. Brackets can be made tooth-colored or clear so that they blend with your natural smile.
• Other types of braces are lingual braces; these are just like metal braces except the wires and brackets are placed on the back of your teeth instead of the front.
• Invisible braces/aligners are removable, invisible, customized plastic aligners. You receive a series of aligners that will be changed during treatment.

Depending on your oral health, alignment of teeth and preference, different braces may be better for you. Dr. Agaez can discuss the benefits of each option, cost and treatment plan to help you chose the braces best for you.

Brushing with Braces

• First, remove bands and any other removable parts of your braces.
• Second, carefully brush around the wires and brackets.
• Third, brush top to bottom, covering upper and lower teeth.
• Last, rinse thoroughly and evaluate teeth and braces for any remaining food particles. If necessary, repeat previous steps.

Tips for Flossing with Braces

• Always use waxed floss instead of un-waxed, as it is less likely to shred in your braces.
• Be sure to use about 18 inches of floss.
• Be sure to carefully thread floss under main wire before flossing between teeth.
• Gently move floss up and down against each tooth; do not be forceful or snap the floss.

Eating with Braces

Patients with braces should avoid sticky, chewy, hard foods. These foods can damage wires and brackets on your braces. This can potentially lengthen treatment time and cause pain. If you have braces you should always avoid:

• Gum
• Chewy/Sticky Candy (Taffy, Gummy Bears)
• Nuts
• Caramel
• Hard candies
• Popcorn

Braces are a great way to improve the appearance of your smile, and with advancements in dental technology, less noticeable options may be available. If you’d like to discuss braces, contact Pearly Whites today and we can schedule an appointment!