Wearing braces is a significant life experience for many. With the right research and knowledge of the correction your teeth need together with a dentist who can guide you through this period reassuringly, your braces journey is sure to be a breeze. Many people get braces for various reasons. The most common reason would be crooked teeth. However, this reason is not just an aesthetic problem that needs to be solved. Having crooked teeth can contribute to worse dental health as you are at a higher risk of getting cavities due to the increased difficulty of reaching places to clean up bacteria. Braces are the best available option out there to solve this issue without undergoing any major surgical procedures. 

Braces come in various forms. From the obvious metal wires that you can see on people’s teeth to discrete clear invisible braces; there are many options available to suit your needs and preferences. Retainers are also another option that is available depending on the extent to which your teeth need correction. 

It’s not just about the looks

As mentioned there are many reasons why someone would like to wear braces and aesthetic purposes is not the only reason. When getting braces prepared for a patient, a dentist has to examine everything about your teeth’s structure. From your jaw alignment to how each individual tooth is lining up against the other, there are plenty of things that your dentist has to consider for your treatment. A misaligned bite can cause your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) to have lots of problems which can contribute to poor posture and speech issues as well! The extent to which your dental health can impact your overall health is significant. This is why getting braces is an important step in improving your overall well-being. 

You can get consultations for free

Over the years of getting braces, the cost can add up. However, before you even start and go ahead with choosing an orthodontist to be the one you decide to embark on this journey with, you’ll probably want to get several opinions first. This means having to book consultations with several dentists. If you are worried about the cost of doing this, do not fret as most dentists or specialists often offer free consultations.

Braces can get expensive if you change your mind midway

While consultations may be free, changing your mind regarding the treatment you want after committing to treatment can prove to be costly. Switching to a new dentist can also be costly as you are usually under a contract when you put on braces under a particular service provider. However, there are also instances such as moving state, country, or house where going to your original orthodontist is no longer a viable option. Hence, if you do look for a new dentist in your area, you’ll have to be prepared to fork out extra cash. Moreover, some dentists might reject patients who have already been undergoing some treatment. 

Treatment times and costs differ from person to person

Each individual has different reasons for wearing braces and depending on their starting point treatment times will vary. The cost of treatment is also dependent on what you need the braces to do for you. There is also the factor of receptive your body is to the treatment. Braces treatment can cost somewhere between $3,000 to $10,000. If you are looking at Invisalign (invisible braces) you can expect to pay more due to higher manufacturing costs. 

Treatment duration is usually two years

On average, patients undergo braces treatment for two years. However, there are instances where you can take longer depending on if you need to extract more teeth or if you have more alignment work to be done. Removing braces earlier than stipulated might not be a great idea as you want to make sure that your teeth are well adapted to the treatment and remains permanently aligned once you remove them. Your orthodontist will be the best person to advise you on what you need!

Pain?

As much as you would not want to know this, we have to share this. You will experience pain and discomfort when you wear braces. Braces are a foreign object to your body and so you will take some time to adjust to all the newfound metal wires in your teeth. However, this pain won’t last for all of the two years you have them on, only for about one day after every tightening appointment and for about the first week when you actually put them on for the first time. You might experience soreness, aching, and sores that would often form on the inside of your gums or lips. You will also experience pain while eating hard food, so try to prepare foods like soup-based meals, soothing smoothies, or a good old bowl of porridge so that you don’t suffer during your meals. 

It might be painful and you might want to give in and remove them completely, but just keep the end goal in mind. After you see the first signs of your teeth getting more aligned, you will realize that the process is worth it after all. You can always ask your dentist for pain relief medication or things like dental wax that can help with the pain and soothe any problem areas. 

Another tip is rinsing your mouth with a saltwater solution that can reduce the pain and pressure of your teeth. Chewing and speaking might be something you have to get used to when you have all that metal in your mouth but with time, you will get used to it and you will become an expert at dealing with the discomfort and pain. It’s only a matter of time!

How about Invisalign?

While Invisalign might be the new trendy option in town, it might not be what’s suitable for your teeth. While Invisalign offer you the option to fix your teeth discretely as compared to braces that might not look the best, these invisible form of braces is only compatible with a small percentage of patients. Your dentist will have to examine your teeth and then make an informed decision to see if you would match an Invisalign treatment. While Invisalign cannot correct jaw issues or severe forms of misaligned teeth, it can treat minor gaps and crooked teeth. So try not to get your hopes up just yet and ask your dentist what they think is best for you. 

In Conclusion

There are many reasons to get braces, many options out there, and many dentists who are going to tell you different things. It is important to keep in mind that whatever decision you make, is a well-informed one with all the factors considered as changing your mind midway could be costly. Through the painful tightening process of having braces, keep in mind that you are going to have beautifully aligned teeth at the end of the day. So fret not, as the discomfort will all be worth it in time to come!

Laura Graham