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“The options for a teenager are now more
advanced than ever! No fears here!”
Braces! What now?
“You’ve just heard the three words that every teen dreads: “YOU NEED BRACES!”. Don’t worry! Braces aren’t nearly as scary as you may think. In fact, braces today come in a variety of styles, materials, and colours, making life with braces much easier, more comfortable, and even more stylish than in the past.
Does getting braces hurt?
Contrary to what other kids sometimes will tell you, it absolutely does not! The braces are glued on the teeth using a special glue. There are no needles involved, and you do not have to be sedated to get braces on! Having braces placed takes some time, but causes no pain at all. The teeth however do get sensitive a few hours later, and this sensitivity lasts 2 or 3 days. We recommend taking pain killers for this period of time to limit this sensitivity. After the first 2 or 3 days the teeth will go back to feeling normal.
How long will I have to wear braces?
The amount of time it takes to treat your smile with braces depends on two key factors:
- What needs correction — The type of problem that needs to be corrected will determine how long the process takes. Different patients react to treatments differently, so while it may take one patient only 12 months to complete their treatment, it may take another patient 24 months or longer. Treatment times can vary depending on how quickly your body responds and how much work is needed to give you the dazzling smile you expect.
- YOU! — Your willingness to use the appliances your orthodontist gives you and cooperate with instructions plays a major role in the length of time it takes to complete your treatment. Always take care of your braces and appliances, and avoid the foods on the list; this truly will help make your treatment shorter! Remember that this is a collaborative effort – if we work together everything will go as smoothly and as quickly as possible.
Braces Your Way!
Our practice offers a variety of braces, types and styles, to choose from. Some common options include:
- Self-ligating metal braces
- Ceramic (clear) braces
- Invisible braces (Invisalign)
- Lingual braces (on the inside of the teeth)
What can I eat while wearing braces?
You’ve probably heard from your parents, friends, and even your orthodontist, about the list of foods and beverages that you should avoid while wearing braces. While it may seem like you’re giving up a lot, it is important to avoid eating certain foods. We also want you to enjoy your braces experience, so here’s a quick list of foods to avoid and foods to embrace while wearing braces.
Foods to avoid while wearing braces:
- Chewy foods — bagels, licorice
- Crunchy foods — popcorn, corn chips, dry cereal, pizza crust
- Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing gum, granola bars
- Hard foods — nuts, hard candies, ice cubes, croutons
- Foods that require biting into — corn on the cob, apples, carrots, celery
Foods you CAN eat while wearing braces:
- Dairy — soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
- Breads — soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts
- Grains — pasta, soft cooked rice
- Meats/poultry — soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
- Seafood — tuna, salmon, crab cakes
- Vegetables — mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
- Fruits — apple sauce, bananas, fruit juice
- Treats — ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cake
Braces are a big part of life for many people your age. While braces may have had a bad reputation in the past, today’s braces make it easy to look good and feel good! If you have any other questions on braces or orthodontic treatment in general, please let us know – we would be happy to talk about it with you!
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