Advice Weekly #6: Braces

A lot of teenagers end up needing braces at some point in their life and I'm one of those teenagers so I know all about this. So I'm here to answer common questions about braces that people who have braces or are getting braces may have.

Do I need braces?

This isn't a question for me but for your dentist. You can ask, or they can just end up telling you. I'd rather ask so you can be prepared. The most popular reason for getting braces is to fix underbites (when the bottom teeth overlap the upper ones) and over bites (when your upper teeth greatly extend over the bottom teeth). But there are other reasons to like bringing teeth down, (the reason why I have mine) and just crooked teeth or making space in your mouth for teeth. Also, if you're lucky, you may only need braces on the top. 

What is the process of getting braces?

The first step is getting spacers. Spacers are small disks or little thick rubber bands that are put between two of your back teeth molars to make space for a device that is put on your molars to attach the wires. These things hurt like crazy and are easy to fall out so you have to be careful when eating. And you can't get braces unless you pass this step. They only stay on for a couple of weeks though. When your spacers have finally done their job, you will notice that there is more space between your back molars and that is where they will put the tube-like object where the wires will be attached. This part hurt too and my teeth had to be sanded to make more space for them and there was quite a lot of blood. I'm not trying to scare you though, hopefully I'm not. After this, your braces will be put on! First your dentist will put on your brackets with a special glue and then dry them with a UV light. Then you will have a wire put in and then your choice color of bands. Some people go by the month holiday like me, or just choose their fave colors or random ones. And then you are finished getting your braces!

Do braces hurt?

This is a popular question and I'm not going to lie to you, they definitely hurt. But they hurt AFTER, you get them put on. About an hour later that's when the pain really kicks in. If you can tolerate pain, they probably won't hurt as bad, but if not, like me, they hurt like crazy. When you get them, the pain lasts for a pretty long time. Like a week or a bit more. It's best to take Motrin or Tylenol for this because it hurts when you eat too. I couldn't even eat french fries on the first day (which are pretty soft). As you have them for a longer time, the pain limits to a few teeth and then like one tooth and by this time the week of pain should be over. Every month, you have to go to the dentists to get your wires tightened and this hurts too, but only for 3 days or 4 days at the most.

Can you get blisters or sores in your mouth from braces?

Yes, you can. And most people do. This is normal though and is because your mouth isn't used to the wires and brackets rubbing against the sides of your mouth or the inner side of your lips. They will heal though so that's the good part.

What do I do about poking wires?

If it is a long time until your dentist appointment and you have a really annoying wire that is poking out you can get dental wax from your dentist that you can put there so it can stop annoying you. Then, the next time you visit them, they can fix it.

Can you be too old for braces?

No! Your are never too old for braces. People in their forties have braces. They're a dental need for some people.

Retainers?

Retainers are for making your teeth NOT shift back to the way they are. You wear them after you get your braces removed. Usually your dentist tells you to only wear it in the night but you might have to wear it during the day too. Retainers are important and if you don't wear them your teeth will eventually look like they've never been fixed and I'm pretty sure your parents will not pay for braces again and you won't want to go through it again so make sure you wear them!

Removing braces?

This doesn't hurt at all! And it's probably pretty quick too. All the gadgets in your mouth are removed and you have straight teeth! Your teeth will probably have to be sanded because the area where the braces were would be a different color than the area around it. You can also go through a whitening process which can tend to be expensive or just brush well and use whitening strips for a few weeks.

How to clean your teeth with braces?

Yes, you can still use regular toothbrushes but you can also use rotating toothbrushes (the ones that vibrate) or orthodontic toothbrushes that are made to get the tough spots when cleaning your teeth. To floss, you will need a threader and floss. It's like sewing. You put the floss through the threader which looks like a bigger plastic sewing needle, and then put it over your wires and then floss and do that with all your teeth. When you brush your braces brush above and below the brackets, in the spaces, and on the other sides of your teeth as well as the tops.

How to keep your braces clean when out in public?

Bring along small little brushes or picks that are sold in stores. Put them in your purse or backpack and bring a mirror too in case one is not available. Go to the bathroom and clean between your teeth to get any food out cause no one wants to see that. You can also bring travel sized toothbrush or toothpaste as well.

Talking with braces?

Okay, yes braces will make your speech sound different but it won't sound like that forever so there's nothing to worry about. I personally talk fine now and eventually people get used to it. Just remember to talk slowly because you never want people getting a mouthful of saliva.

Is it worth it?
Yes it's worth it! You can have your braces on from 2 years to 5 years but when you get them off and your teeth are straight, it's probably the best feeling ever.