Health A-Z

All You Need to Know About Braces

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The second feature after your eyes that many people will notice on your face when they glance at you is your mouth. Teeth are an integral part of beauty as they give you self-confidence every time you return a good gesture or receive a compliment by smiling. This is ideally why anyone with misaligned teeth would quickly look for a solution to give them that missing aspect in their body image.

Different Teeth Alignment Issues

Before we can address the different types and purposes of braces, let's first point out the various conditions that lead to the fitting of braces. Braces are known to fix teeth alignment issues. There are different types of teeth misalignment, including;

·       Overbite – Also known as protrusion, occurs when your upper jaw juts further, and your lower jaw sets far back. It can also happen when your front teeth protrude outwards at an angle, called buck teeth.

·       Crossbite – Occurs when teeth in your upper jaw are fitted behind teeth in your lower jaw. This can result in a crooked jaw development in children.

·       Underbite – Happens when your lower jaw is protruded out in front of your upper jaw.

·       Overcrowding – Occurs when your teeth are crowded in your jawline, which forces them to come out at odd angles.

·       Open bite – Occurs when the front teeth in your jaw meet, but the back ones don't. Vice versa can also be termed an open bite when your back teeth meet, but there are notable gaps between your front teeth.

·       Spacing – Occurs when your teeth are spread too far apart from each other.

·       A deep bite – Occurs when the front teeth in your upper jaw cover the front teeth of your lower jaw.

Teeth misalignment is not only a cosmetic problem. It can lead to other severe problems, so fixing the issue is crucial to an individual. Some of the related problems include;

i.      Premature or uneven wearing of the teeth

ii.     Temporomandibular joint problems

iii.    The inaccessibility of certain teeth causes tooth decay

iv.    Weakening the teeth causes potential breaking or cracking

v.     Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding

vi.    Biting your cheeks leads to soft tissue damage.

Getting Braces

Getting braces is the best counter solution for teeth misalignment. However, it would be best if you were physically and mentally prepped for the procedure and everything that will come with braces. So what are braces anyway?

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Parts of Braces

Braces have three integral parts: brackets, wires, and tiny rubber bands. The brackets are attached to your teeth and have slots on all sides. The wires are to be threaded through the spaces present in the brackets. The tiny rubber bands are used to hold wires to the brackets.

Depending on the condition of your misalignment, some people might require metal bands to encircle their back teeth. These fittings are usually customized as all situations are unique and require tailor-made solutions for the best results.

Procedure

The process of fitting braces has several stages. The first step is to apply a bonding agent to the teeth. This is usually a specialized glue to hold the brackets. You then start fitting braces to create an impression of your teeth' alignment and soft tissue. This is a cast, and orthodontists use it to study the relationship between your jaw and teeth. Proper cleaning of your teeth is an integral step to braces fitting as the brackets need to fit perfectly on the teeth to be effective.

The fitting of braces is a procedure that would take about 90 to 120 minutes. A retractor will be placed in your mouth to help keep it dry while brackets are fitted on each tooth using a unique adhesive. After all the teeth are fitted with brackets, wires will be threaded through the slots. The tiny rubber bands will provide extra holding or securing for effectiveness.

Aftermath

After braces are fitted, you should expect some discomfort. Your teeth might feel sensitive, which is entirely normal. New braces might cause sores in your mouth. However, these are issues you can treat with over-the-counter medicine. You should consult your orthodontist if the symptoms are persistent and OTC meds aren't helping out.

Your orthodontist is the best person to consult about how to care for your braces. This is because they have your history and proper knowledge of what would work in your favor if a problem arises. Getting braces is a nerve-wracking procedure that requires adequate preparation and the proper guidelines to live and care for the braces.

Different Types of Braces

Different types of braces are used to treat various teeth misalignment problems. They include;

a)    Metal – They are the most common type of braces and are made of alloy or titanium.

b)    Ceramic – They are similar to metal braces, but they are precise and blend well with the color of your teeth.

c)     Lingual – Metal braces placed inside the teeth, also known as the lingual side.

d)    Self-ligating – They resemble metal braces but use a spring-loaded door to secure the wire rather than elastic materials such as rubbers.

e)    Clear aligners – Other than fitting them, clear aligners are a clear tray worn over your teeth.

Things to Know Before Getting Braces

There are several things that you need to get in check before getting braces. This will ease the process and help you properly prepare for the fitting steps during your orthodontic appointment. You will also be able to find out the truth under many myths about braces and their purpose. It's essential to have clarity before you opt for them.

Some of the things to know before getting braces include;

·       You may get a minor lisp

·       The actual braces application will hurt

·       Flossing might be challenging

·       Braces don't change your personality

·       Tightening the braces is painful

·       Braces might change the appearance of your lips

·       Orthodontic wax is a life saver as it provides comfort during treatment

·       Treatment time will fly by

·       You might experience setbacks

·       Smoothies will be friendly to you

·       The first few weeks will be uncomfortable

·       People of all ages can win braces

·       Food will be trapped in your braces

·       The first month will present exceptional results

·       Despite the prices, braces are worth it

·       Braces also fix your bite.

How to Care for Your Braces

After you decide to get braces and you manage to undergo the procedure, caring for them is an integral part of their effectiveness. Some of the standard rules to take care of your braces include;

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1.     Maintain your braces and ensure they stick to your teeth. This is the only way they'll effectively straighten your teeth.

2.     Avoid chewing gum as it might stick to the dental work done.

3.     To avoid sensitivity, you should avoid eating solid food for at least three hours after getting your braces.

4.     Take care of your braces so that they might be effective and take a shorter time to serve their purpose.

5.     Avoid hard foods such as hard chips, nuts, granola bars, popcorn, ice, and carrots, as they will be hard on your braces.

6.     Don't use your front teeth to bite on anything, including apples and sandwiches.

7.     Maintain a soft diet for about three days after application.

Fitting braces is a life-transforming step for people with misaligned teeth. Getting back the perfect smile that was robbed from them is a delight that many of them cannot hide once the braces are entirely taken off. However, it is a process, and proper care for the braces is integral to getting the best results quickly.

Contact us today and book your orthodontist appointment to get the best advice on dealing with your misaligned teeth and enjoy the best braces recommendation.