Our Location
(843) 903-3300
(843) 896-6550
Starting braces treatment is a big step in the orthodontic process towards a better smile. As you begin this process, you may encounter some myths and misinformation about orthodontic treatment. Seabreeze Orthodontics has an office of experts who want to have the correct information and education to begin your smile journey on the right foot. Let’s take a look at ten of the most common myths about braces and clear them up.
Myth #1: Braces are only for kids and teens
When we think of braces, the image that comes to mind is often a pimply teenager or kid. This is because young people’s teeth are not fully developed, which can make it easier for braces to move their teeth in the right direction. However, you’re never too old to improve your smile! Your teeth can be adjusted with braces at any point, but some issues may be easier to treat when you are younger. With metal and clear braces and Invisalign options, orthodontic treatment is possible for patients of all ages!
Myth #2: Braces are only for cosmetics
Braces do more than straighten your teeth. There are other more functional benefits to braces too. Imperfect teeth can affect your speech, chewing, digestion, sleep, and even your breathing. Tooth crowding can make it difficult to properly floss and clear plaque and debris. A misaligned bite can lead to poor oral health overall. Luckily for most patients, jaw misalignment or malocclusion can be remedied with braces.
Myth #3: Braces are painful
While there may be some discomfort when you start treatment, this quickly fades away as your teeth adjust to the metal appliances. There may be some irritation and soreness during your routine adjustment appointments. Overall, your braces should not cause any actual lasting pain and the discomfort you may or may not experience does not affect the efficiency of your braces.
Myth #4: You can’t play sports or instruments
You should always protect your teeth and mouth when playing sports or instruments, especially when you have braces. However, you don’t have to give your favorite activities to protect your smile! One way you can protect your teeth while playing sports is to wear a protective mouthguard to stay safe from the impact that could damage your braces. As for musical instruments, the added devices in your mouth may require a bit of adjustment while playing, but it shouldn’t keep you from enjoying music.
Myth #5: Braces have to be on for a long time to work
It takes time to adjust your teeth. This is especially true if you need more in-depth jaw adjustments. Braces make small changes that allow your mouth to adjust and move your teeth, and doing this too fast would be very painful and could cause damage to your jaw and teeth. Most orthodontic patients tend to spend anywhere from twelve to thirty-six months in treatment and adjustments, and it can vary depending on your oral health and your goals. The perks of a better smile are always worth the wait!
Myth #6: Braces will severely limit what you can eat
To get the best results from your treatment, it’s good to avoid certain food that may damage your braces, or can make cleaning your braces tricky. Foods that are crunchy like raw apples and carrots, nuts, and popcorn, and sticky foods like candies with caramel and taffy can cause your appliances to break and even cause damage to your teeth, tongue, and gums. Most other foods will not pose a problem with eating or proper oral care.
Myth #7: Braces straighten your teeth forever
Your orthodontic work likely won’t end after your treatment does. Once your braces are off, you will move on to the next phase of your orthodontic treatment. Your mouth is vulnerable post-treatment because your teeth attempt to shift back into the place they were before braces. Your jaw needs time to grow and support the adjustments that were made. For this reason, you will need to wear a retainer that keeps pressure on the teeth to keep them from moving. This will be a removable device, but you will need to wear it regularly as instructed to ensure that the adjustments made while wearing braces are not compromised.
Myth #8: Metal braces are the only option for straightening your teeth
Many patients don’t want the complications that come with brackets and wires. The past several years have seen advancements in orthodontic technology that have provided more options for people seeking treatments. While bracket-and-wire braces are the most commonly used option, there is also a clear, ceramic option. At our orthodontic office, we offer Invisalign to be used in place or in combination with your standard braces treatment plan.
Myth #9: Braces are the only option for straightening your teeth
Braces are the most widely recognized way to correct your teeth. However, it’s not the only option! Advancements in orthodontic technology have created more ways for you to achieve your smile goals. In addition to traditional braces, we offer clear braces and Invisalign clear aligners to our patients.
Myth #10: Constant Wire Changes
Follow-up visits are an essential part of the orthodontic process, and our team wants to work with you to help you achieve your goals. Adjustments will be expected and there may be reasons for the wire to be exchanged at certain points in your treatment plan. However, they will not be as frequent as you may expect! The visits will typically consist of our orthodontists making minor adjustments and visually inspecting the movement to be sure you are progressing as you should be.Â
Get the facts at Seabreeze Orthodontics
All treatments have their ups and downs, and we know you have a set of needs for your unique smile. No matter your age or requirements, our team has the hands-on training and experience to help you with your goal. Our warm and professional office features up-to-date orthodontic technology to make choosing your orthodontic treatment options as stress-free as possible. If you still have questions about different treatment options, Dr. Juan would love to meet you for your FREE consultation to get you started on your journey to a better smile.Â