Today we will talk about some common questions before you start your orthodontic treatment and wear braces.

How long do people need to wear braces?

It depends on the case. Typically depends how is the bite and how the teeth misaligned. An average case takes about 18 to 24 months. It could be as short as six months to as long as two and a half years. It’s very rare to have them for more than two and a half years.

Do braces hurt?

When we put in the braces on, there is no pain or discomfort. We basically glue them to the teeth. Once we put the wires in and you go home. And you get your braces adjusted and they are a little sore. Most of the time the soreness is not very severe. It can be relieved with eating or drinking cold foods and drinks. Just ice water will relieve the discomfort. Sometimes if the discomfort is more severe, you might need to take over-the-counter pain medication for a day or two after the tightening appointments.

Are there any food restrictions with braces?

With braces, you do need to avoid hard, sticky, chewing or gooey foods. Anything really hard can break a bracket off, which will cause you to have to come in for an emergency appointments. And if you have too many of those broken brackets, that’ll obviously prolong your treatment. If you are eating horror foods like steak or apple, you just have to slice it or cut into small pieces.

Will braces affect daily routine?

There’s definitely some maintenance. You do have to spend a little more time brushing and flossing. You do have to avoid some quite sticky foods or be a little more careful when you’re eating those. If you play sports, we have special mouth guard that you have to wear with braces. So you do have to be a little more careful, especially if you’re playing contact sports. But other than that, your daily routine is pretty much going to be the same. You just have to now take care of your braces, also.

How much do braces cost?

It just depends on the case and what kind of treatment you require. Once you come in for the consultation, one orthodontist will assess your needs and what has to be done, and will be able to give you the property. The treatment coordinator with work on how you insurance to maximize your benefits and come up with the financial arrangement that’ll work for you.

Hope these are helpful!