FAQ
- How much do braces cost?
- Do I have to wear braces?
- Will my braces hurt?
- How old is too old for braces?
- What age should I send my child to an orthodontist?
- When will I get my braces off?
- Are there any foods I can’t eat?
- Can I chew gum?
- Brushing & Flossing:
The price of orthodontic appliances can vary, depending upon the severity of the malocclusion, appliance, treatment time and the orthodontist’s fee. The price range is quite large, but you will probably end up paying between $4000-8000. The best way to get a quote is to ask your orthodontist.
No one is going to force you to wear braces. However, if you have some sort of malocclusion, it will cause you problems later in life if it is left untreated. Braces line your teeth up in the best possible manner to avoid plaque build-up, and undue wear and tear on your teeth and gums. They also help to improve your self esteem by giving you the best possible smile.
It doesn’t hurt to apply your braces, but for the first week after you’ve had them put on, your teeth and jaw may ache. If any parts of the braces start to hurt the inside of your mouth, you can apply wax to the braces to smooth things over. You can also take an aspirin or Disprin to help the ache. Remember – the pain doesn’t last very long. It will also help to limit your diet just to soft foods for the first week.
You are never too old to benefit from wearing braces. However, there may be some limitations, depending on your age.
Once the deciduous teeth start to fall out (exfoliate), the child should be examined by an orthodontist. If the baby teeth have fallen out too early, a preventative treatment may be needed to stop the erupting teeth from overcrowding.
This depends on how severe your malocclusion is. It also depends on your age, your growth spurts and how willing your teeth are to move! You can speed up the process by not breaking your braces, maintaining good oral hygiene, and wearing your appliances correctly. The usual time for braces is 18 – 24 months.
Yes! Some hard crunchy foods may break your braces, so you’ll have to wear them longer. These food include carrots, peanuts, gum, candy, popcorn, ice, hard chips and biscuits.
There are some types of gum that you can chew, which will stimulate saliva production in your mouth. Sugar-free gums such as Wrigleys are great. However, do not chew sticky gum that will get caught in your braces.
The biggest enemy of your teeth is plaque and the most common and effective means of removing plaque from your teeth is regular brushing and flossing: