Orthodontic Braces for All Ages

To prevent damage to your brackets and wires or food from becoming trapped between them, there is a short list of foods to avoid when wearing braces. The foods to avoid are:

• Chewy foods such as fruit leathers, beef jerky, or bagels
• Highly crunchy foods like raw carrots, chips, raw celery, and popcorn
• Sticky foods like caramel candy, licorice, and marshmallows
• Very hard foods like hard candy, hard breadsticks, or pizza crust
• Any food that requires biting, such as apples or corn on the cob. These foods can still be enjoyed by slicing the apples or removing the corn from the cob.

Here are the step-by-step instructions for proper brushing and flossing when wearing braces:

1. Before brushing, do a quick rinse with water. This will dislodge any food particles stuck between the wires or brackets.
2. Brush beginning at the gum line, using a 45-degree angle of approach. As you move towards the brackets brush from both the top and the bottom, ensuring that the bristles reach under the wires and around the brackets. This process may take some extra time in the beginning, but once you are used to it, it will be routine for you.
3. Follow up with a thorough flossing. You will need to use precise and careful flossing technique to make sure you do not dislodge or loosen the brackets or wires. Your doctor will help you how to perfect your flossing technique during your appointment.

Generally, braces are not painful. However, you may feel a little sore or uncomfortable immediately after you first get them. This soreness is normal, and it will not last long.

A saltwater rinse can help relieve the soreness and inflammation. Dissolve a single teaspoon of salt in a full cup of lukewarm water and swish around your mouth for a few minutes. If soreness persists, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. If you experience lip, cheek, or tongue irritation in the weeks after getting braces, some wax can alleviate the problem quickly.

With severe bite problems and/or patients with missing teeth, orthodontists used to struggle with needing external anchor points to precisely control the adjustment of out of place teeth. The solution used to be unfortunate looking and inconvenient practices like headgear and external braces.

That is, until Temporary Anchorage Devices or TADs came along. Using an anchor attached to the jawbone, TADs eliminate the need for headgear and other uncomfortable treatments by providing an extra anchor point inside the mouth. They’re a safe and effective way to provide more exact orthodontic treatment for patients who need it—and not everyone does. Your Prairie View Orthodontics doctor will know whether TADs are right for you and can advise you about them during your consultation.

Most patients will complete braces treatment in 12 to 24 months. It varies by individual, however, because each smile is different. When we start treatment, we can give you a good estimate of how long you’ll wear braces.  

Then, a few months into your treatment, we’ll have an even better idea of how things are progressing. At that point, we’ll give you an even better estimate of how much time is left in your treatment.  

Absolutely! We offer Damon Clear braces, which are a more discrete approach. Like their metal braces counterpart, Damon Clear braces use lite, gentle forces over time to achieve results. The difference is in the brackets, which are clear so essentially you’re the only person who knows you’re wearing braces.

It depends on which braces you choose, the length of time your treatment lasts, and other considerations unique to your smile. Prairie View Orthodontics offers payment plans, and we’ll work with your insurance to optimize your benefits to help you work out an affordable approach to ensure you get the care you need.