FAQs
Questions about orthodontic treatment
- What are braces?
- What are retainers?
- How long does it take?
- Am I too old for braces?
- Is it painful?
- How will I eat and will I have to avoid certain foods?
- Is my speech going to be affected?
- What happens if my brace breaks?
- Will brace treatment interfere with work or school?
- Will brace treatment interfere with playing sports and wind instruments?
Teeth can be moved by applying constant gentle forces. Braces are tools which help us to move teeth in the direction we choose. They can be fixed to the teeth or can be removed for cleaning outside the mouth. Braces are not a modern invention; they have been around for more than 100 years. Over the last 30 years they were commonly associated with teenagers but now adults are choosing to wear them too. There are many types of braces, some of which are better at treating certain problems.
Retainers are used to maintain the result achieved by wearing braces. They are fitted after the braces have been removed. If they are not worn as instructed, the teeth will start moving out of line and therefore they should be considered the most important part of orthodontic treatment. Unfortunately, nature does not always support our desire for straight teeth and they need to held artificially in their new position to prevent natural forces moving them again. This is similar to maintaining your new hair colour!
Retainers can removable for night time wear only and these are made of plastic. Or they can be made of a thin metal wire which is fixed to the inside surfaces of the front teeth with a special dental adhesive. Either way they need to be looked after.
Treatment time varies depending on the problem and the type of brace used to treat it. Typically, short treatments take 6-12 months and longer treatments take 18-24 months. Some people want their teeth straight ready for an event such as marriage. It is best to allow enough time.
Teeth can be moved at any age, provided there are enough of them to allow a brace to be placed effectively. Generally teeth move faster in children than adults.
Wearing a brace is uncomfortable during the first week whilst one is getting used to it. Regular painkillers can help during this period but not many people require them. Teeth ache when forces are placed on them initially. Teeth will ache more if the brace is being removed and replaced constantly because the teeth are being “jiggled”. The brace can rub on the lips and cheeks and the wire can sometimes dig in but all these problems are temporary.
How will I eat and will I have to avoid certain foods?
Eating is difficult for the first week or two. The teeth are tender during the first week. It is best to have very soft food that does not require chewing. As you get used to the brace, you will manage to have a more normal diet. However you will always have to avoid biting into hard chewy or sticky foods eg. Nuts, toffee, whole carrots etc.) because they are likely to brake the brace. You can have most things as long as you make it easier to eat by cutting it into small pieces. Spinach and sweetcorn can get stuck in the braces. Coloured foods can stain the brace or teeth (eg. Tea/coffee, red wine, curries etc). Fizzy and acidic drinks (including natural juices and carbonated water) need to be avoided because they dissolve enamel.
Is my speech going to be affected?
Initially speech is affected because having the brace in your moth will increase salivation. However after a few days this will normalise. Most people speak fairly normally after about a week however you may still feel self-concious for a little longer. The biggest problem is with removable braces because there is a temptation to remove it and the tongue will not get used to speaking with the brace in if it is taken out. You need to bear with it.
What happens if my brace breaks?
It is not always an emergency if your brace is broken. However if it is broken, it will not work properly or you may not be able to wear it . It is best to seek advise as soon as possible from your orthodontist. If you are in pain or very uncomfortable you can seek emergency treatment from your dentist or orthodontist.
Will brace treatment interfere with work or school?
Once you get used to it, braces rarely interfere with anything. It is best to keep a toothbrush handy in your bag because your teeth may need a clean after eating.
Will brace treatment interfere with playing sports and wind instruments?
A gum shield must be worn when playing contact sports. A removable brace can be taken off for contact sports. A gum shield can be worn over a fixed brace. When playing wind instruments the lips can press against the brace, however it is rarely a major problem unless you are career grade.