Misconceptions About Dental Braces

Although dental braces are regarded as a difficult and troublesome treatment, it is the most effective treatment method in orthodontics used to correct tooth and jaw disorders, and there is no reasonable grounds to fear thanks to current technology. Dental brace therapy is a must for effectively eliminating the dental problems like crooked teeth and jaw disorders that will bother you from perspectives of both aesthetic and health.

Keep in mind that tooth and jaw disorders neglected by not wearing braces will gradually worsen and cause various problems in basic functions such as chewing and speaking. Well aligned teeth are a must for a natural and aesthetic smile.

Many patients, who avoid wearing braces although it is necessary, have worries due to some incorrect/inaccurate information that is commonly expressed. Therefore, we would like to address the most common “false facts” about braces.

“Braces are used only for children/young.”

Wrong. Braces can be applied at any age. Teeth can be corrected with appropriate treatment and planning in adults, just as in children. Moreover, lingual orthodontics enables hiding the braces in the mouth cavity. Only the treatment at early age provides extra advantages in permanent correction of jaw disorders.

“Dental brace therapy is a painful process. Pain also persists during the treatment.”

Wrong. Patients do not feel remarkable pain while braces are adapted and fixed. During the therapy, they need an adaptation period due to movement of teeth. A mild pain is probable in this period and your orthodontist will try to eliminate it as much as possible. Similarly, the tongue and the mouth cavity can be mildly irritated for first several days while eating and speaking, until braces are adapted. Those problems disappear almost completely in several weeks.

“People wearing braces cannot eat many foods.”

Wrong. We ask the patients with dental braces to avoid from hard foods, such as dry fruits and nuts, crackers and quince, and sticky foods, such as jelly and candies, and especially fizzy drinks. You may eat other foods easily by dividing them into small pieces such that the braces do not dislocate.

“People wearing braces suffer from dental caries.”

Partially wrong. Dental caries may develop in some patients with braces. However, the reason is mostly negligence of dental care rather than the brace. Since braces provide an appropriate area for accumulation of food residues, people with braces should be careful on cleaning the braces. If you follow the recommendations of orthodontist, you do not need to worry about the caries.

“Dental disorders develop again following removal of braces.”

Partially wrong. Following dental braces therapy, your orthodontist will provide you a plate to preserve the location of teeth and lead you about its use. If you do not neglect the use of plate, disorders in teeth recur rarely or at a low level. Although specific impairments may develop due to other factors, such as non-extracted wisdom teeth, and lifetime motility of teeth, those can be prevented with regular dentist visits.