COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT DENTAL BRACES DEBUNKED

Orthodontics or the dental braces treatment has evolved a lot in recent years, along with the traditional methods and ways we now have advanced technologies and techniques making the treatment more comfortable for you. However, despite these advancements the misconceptions about the dental braces treatment often cloud the truth restraining you from making the good and right decision about your dental health. Let’s delve into some common misconceptions surrounding dental braces treatment and know about the actual reality behind them.

Here’s a list of common myths about dental braces:

1. Dental braces are only for children and teens.
2. Braces are only for cosmetic purposes.
3. Braces are extremely painful.
4. Giving up consumption of your favorite foods.
5. Tighter adjustments mean quicker results.
6. You can not maintain proper routine brushing and flossing with braces.
7. Children shouldn’t see an orthodontist until all of their adult teeth are erupted,
8. Braces always require tooth extractions.
9. After your braces are off your teeth stay perfect for life.
10. A general dentist can do your braces treatment and you do not require a dentist specialized in dental braces (an orthodontist).

Let’s unfold the above mentioned myths on dental braces and know about the actual facts!

1. Dental braces are only for children and teens:

When it comes to orthodontic treatment, most people tend to associate it with teenage years. Back in the days people used to consider orthodontic treatment as a treatment for children during their developing years.

However, in new age dentistry there has been a boom in the number of adults (mostly in their 20s) opting for braces treatment. There's no specific age as to when you should get your braces; the only factor that counts is the health of your teeth and gums. If you have healthy teeth and gums you are the perfect candidate for a dental braces treatment. Because a beautiful smile can be achieved at any age.

2. Braces are only for cosmetic purposes:

It is true that braces give you an aligned and aesthetically pleasing smile but, the benefits of bracing your teeth go far beyond cosmetic enhancement. Orthodontic treatments mainly focus on the correction of your bite and alignment of your teeth thereby improving your functional problems. Misaligned teeth can cause various dental issues such as tooth decay, difficulty chewing food and maintaining proper oral hygiene. Braces also promote proper jaw alignment, ensuring you an overall oral well-being.

3. Braces are extremely painful:

There may be some initial discomfort as your teeth adjust to braces but gradually this pain will diminish. We know that pain sensation is different for different people. What is considered painful to you may be perceived as mild discomfort to another. The pain experienced during braces treatment is of very mild intensity which often slightly increases following your monthly wire tightening follow-ups. Do not worry! Over the counter painkillers or gels are usually prescribed by your orthodontist which help soothe the mild pain or discomfort caused by your braces

4. Giving up consumption of your favorite foods:

Yes there are certain foods that you will be advised to avoid during your braces treatment so that any damage to your brace wires and bands.

can be prevented; but that doesn’t mean you will have to give up on your favorite foods entirely.

Generally, you are supposed to not consume anything hard or sticky; but there is still a lot of delicious foods that you can have during your entire braces treatment. Make sure you eat food in small chunks and avoid eating things that need a force to bite on. Avoid carbonated drinks and consumption of a lot of sugary foods as they may predispose to tooth decay if in case your oral hygiene compromises during any step of your orthodontic treatment. Be mindful of your eating choices and enjoy eating your favorites!

5. Tighter adjustment means quicker results:

As you know braces treatment takes time because of which patient compliance becomes important. But most of us in the gust of the treatment outcome try to move things faster. Many times it is either because the orthodontist wants to finish a case quicker or the patient wants to get faster results. Either way the outcome is a more delayed treatment.

Tooth movement during orthodontic treatment is a unique process in itself where a solid object moves through a solid medium. This movement occurs when a prolonged force is applied on a tooth which causes changes in the bone surrounding the tooth (remodeling). Not only does the tooth move but the mild prolonged pressure causes changes in the physiology of the surrounding tissues.

But in cases where excessive force is applied the normal remodeling cycle disrupts causing disturbed alignment because of uneven and unpaced movement of teeth. The excessive force also causes tooth resorption which in itself is a trouble to deal with. Therefore, always choose a qualified and experienced orthodontist for your braces treatment and make sure you don’t rush your treatment hoping to get faster results.

6. You cannot maintain a proper brushing and flossing routine with braces:

As you know flossing is an important step in your oral hygiene routine but, it may sometimes get harder to floss those tooth contact areas while you wear your braces but still it has to be practiced every time you brush your teeth. With braces your gums are more likely to get inflamed, so flossing will help keep your gum line clean and free from plaque build up during your braces treatment. There are many different orthodontic brushes and braces friendly flosses available that can help ease your brushing and flossing routine with braces.

7. Children shouldn’t see an orthodontist until all of their adult teeth have erupted:

Parents sometimes struggle as to when their child should visit an orthodontist for his braces treatment. Making things simpler for you! The general recommended age at which your child should be evaluated by an orthodontist is between the ages 7-8 years old. This may seem to be a very young age to you but, problems like crowding of teeth, noticeable overbite, underbite, or other bite irregularities and jaw alignments can be interpreted and prevented by early diagnosis. It also helps in breaking any abnormal habits such as mouth breathing or thumb sucking that your child may have hampering his normal tooth and jaw developments. Yes! You read it right. Orthodontics helps cure all of these issues too with early intervention.

8. Braces always require tooth extractions:

One common question that arises when considering braces treatment is whether you would require tooth extraction or not. You must have heard that most people undergoing braces treatment require teeth to be extracted prior to orthodontic treatment. But I have good news for you! In most cases tooth extractions may not be necessary.

The decision to remove teeth before braces depend on various factors that potentially require extractions; such as, lack of space for your teeth’s movement during your braces treatment, crowding of teeth, proclined teeth, extra tooth in your dental arch that doesn’t serve any purpose and is compromising the aesthetics, decayed tooth or a tooth stuck in your jaw.

Tooth extractions are only necessary when it is believed that the ideal treatment results cannot be achieved without it. All this is decided by your orthodontist when he plans your treatment as per your needs.

9. After your braces are off your teeth stay perfect for life:

Everyone who undergoes braces treatment has to go through the retentive phase of their braces journey. Wondering what this is? Let me break it down for you;

You’ve endured a lot during your braces treatment although the inconveniences were mild but you have handled it all just to achieve the perfect smile that you now have, and retainers help you retain that perfect smile and prevent relapse.

Our teeth are constantly shifting and moving, during our braces days we restrain and modulate those tooth movements as per our treatment goals. The wires, brackets, and rubber bands that you got during your orthodontic treatment held your teeth in their respective desired positions but after those attachments are free the teeth tend to move back to their original positions and that is when the role of retention comes into play.

Retainers help retain teeth in their new improved positions and are crucial for supporting the bone around your teeth as they adapt to their new positions. By wearing your retainers you can minimize the changes in the corrections you’ve achieved by your braces treatment.

There are a variety of retainers that you can choose from depending on your need. Hawley retainers (the metal retainers) are most commonly used,fixed retainers are the ones glued at the back of your teeth providing retention without compromising aesthetics but it has its own downsides to it.

The most recent and popular retainers which are now in trend are the clear retainers which are transparent plastic removable trays custom made as per your teeth’s alignment. They are barely visible, are more comfortable and durable than other retainer options available.

10. A general dentist can do your braces treatment and you do not require a dentist specialized in dental braces (orthodontist):

Why choose an orthodontist and not a dentist for your braces treatment?

Orthodontists are experts having additional education and training to identify and correct your teeth and jaw alignments based on their knowledge and skills.

They have better expertise and are well-equipped to properly diagnose and design the best treatment plan as per your individual needs. They can also better handle the issues that may arise during your braces treatment.

As orthodontic treatment is a long-term process, getting it gone by the expert is always the best.

These were a few of the many common misconceptions about braces. There are a lot more but rest assured, getting braces is the perfect solution for a straighter, healthier winsome smile.

So if you haven't gone to an orthodontist yet because of these myths, it's time to take that plunge.

Learn about more benefits of braces with consultation at Realtooth. Call our office or request an appointment online with our professionals. Visit us at Realtooth where we offer you painless dentistry by experts.