The Benefits of Dental Braces
Let’s Get Things Straight!
Do you have crooked, crowded, overlapped or gaps in your teeth? Did you have braces previously and now notice your teeth moving or crowding your front teeth? Is your bite off? If you or a family member has concerns about your crooked teeth and smile, read more about the benefits of dental braces or clear aligners here.
We offer 2 types of Dental Braces
- We offer straight wire orthodontics. These are the traditional style braces that utilize bands, brackets, and wires.
- We offer clear aligners which are “invisible” retainers. These are similar to bleaching trays. Clear aligners will move and realign your teeth over a period of time.
Why should you choose traditional braces?
- Traditional braces usually work better for younger children
- Traditional braces are stronger and work better on teeth with big gaps or that are very crooked
- They also work better for people who need their jaw to be moved for a better bite
- You can’t lose traditional braces. How many stories do you hear about people losing their aligners or retainers?
- With traditional braces, you can eat and drink with them on
Why would you choose clear aligners?
There are some people who might want clear aligners instead of traditional braces:
- Older teens and adults who are more responsible with brushing and oral care and are less likely to lose the aligner
- You only have minor to moderate teeth crowding or spacing issues
- You had braces on your teeth before, and your teeth have moved again
How long will I need to wear braces or aligners?
- The average time people wear dental braces is 2 years.
- On average, people wear aligners to straighten their teeth for approximately 14 months.
Foods to Avoid Eating with Dental Braces
- Corn On the Cob: Biting a corn on the cob directly can loosen or pull of your brackets. Cut the corn kernels off the cob to eat it.
- Ice: Munching on whole ice cubes is something to avoid with braces.
- Popcorn: Popcorn kernels get stuck in everything and are your braces’ worst enemy.
- Whole Apples: Biting into a whole apple can also dislodge brackets or bend wires. Cut apples into small pieces to safely eat.
- Hard Candy: Hard candy is just bad all the way around but biting directly on this type of candy can not only crack a tooth, if you have braces it can dislodge brackets or bend wires.
- Sticky Candy: Taffy, caramel, and the like can stick to braces and cause all kinds of problems with braces and tooth decay.
- Nuts: The hard nature of most nuts poses a direct risk so try crushed or slivered nuts.
- Crunchy Veggies/Fruits: When uncooked, they can apply undue pressure.
- Pizza Crust: Especially when it’s crispy and hard can cause problems with your braces. Again, cut into smaller pieces so you aren’t trying to bite/tear it off when eating pizza crusts.
- Snack Chips & Pretzels: Any kind of hard or crunchy food may cause your bracket to break or cause damage to your wires. Eat with caution.
- Hard Rolls or Bagels: The density of this type of bread can be a challenge. Try cutting into smaller bites or using softer rolls or bread.
Get Your Orthodontic Consultation Today
Your dentist at Mid Cities Dental will weigh all the options with you between dental braces and clear aligners. They will also talk with you about how much your teeth need to move, take into consideration how old you are and your level of responsibility. In addition, they will factor in your dental insurance coverage. All these factors can play a big role in determining which choice you make.
We can save you time and money by utilizing one of these two techniques to provide you with a beautiful smile.
Call our office to schedule a free orthodontic consultation today!
Dental Services We Offer
DENTAL EMERGENCY SERVICES
Alleviate the pain and address the problem!
RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY
Giving you the smile you lost!
PREVENTATIVE DENTISTRY
Fixing your smile in advance!
