Having braces put on requires no needles, anesthetic or drilling into the tooth. The actual process of braces is usually quite simple, with minimal discomfort. The fear of braces is often unjustified; indeed, most patients, young and old, leave the orthodontist's office with new braces and a "that wasn't bad" feeling. Braces can be applied at any age, but the ideal age is 10 to 14, according to the Ohio State University Medical Center.
Preparation
During your first appointment, your orthodontist will take an X-ray of your teeth to determine how much space is available for braces, the location of the teeth that need to be straightened and if any decay is present. If you have any cavities, they will be repaired before braces are put in place. A mold will be taken of your teeth; most orthodontists offer different flavors for the mold material used. If your teeth are crowded, your orthodontist may need to extract one or more to make room for movement, cautions Associates in Orthodontics, a Vermont practice. If your teeth are tight, rubber or metal spacers will most commonly be inserted between your molars for up to two weeks.
Brackets
Before the orthodontist puts your braces on, the Getting Braces website explains, he will dry your teeth and apply etchant, a bad-tasting adhesive that holds the brackets to your teeth for the next few years. Before the etchant dries, brackets are placed on each tooth, creating a strong bond. Two wires, one on the top set of teeth and one on the bottom set, will connect each bracket. Tiny rubber bands may be placed around each bracket to secure the wire in place. The application of the rubber bands may cause discomfort, but is not painful.
Aftercare
You will likely feel minor pain for three to four days after getting your braces, especially if your top and bottom teeth click together. You can relieve this pain by taking over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen, but discuss pain relief with your orthodontist for any specific recommendations. Nebraska practice Family Gentle Dental Care recommends you cut carrots, apples or hard-crusted breads into bite-sized pieces and avoid sticky and hard candies. Chew a sugar-free gum after eating to reduce acids produced by bacteria, the practice adds on its website. Brush your teeth after meals and snacks, or a minimum of twice per day. Food can get stuck in brackets, so clean the brackets thoroughly every day. A floss threader can be used to care between teeth, Family Gentle Dental adds.
Adjustments
Your orthodontist will need to make adjustments, most commonly called tightening, to your braces every four to six weeks. Cell regeneration, a process that causes the growth of new bone and tissue cells, occurs when braces are put on and during adjustments, according to the ArchWired website. The regeneration process takes three weeks, which is why your orthodontist will wait until the fourth week, ArchWired explains. During the adjustment procedure, nothing is actually tightened. The orthodontist will remove the rubber bands and wires so she can examine your teeth. The wires are reinserted and new rubber bands are placed over the brackets. Expect this process to continue for at least two years.
Considerations
You can choose the color of your rubber bands. Keep in mind that clear bands will show food particles on your braces more than colored bands. During the first few months, your braces may cause discomfort from rubbing against your gums. Most orthodontists will give you wax to place on the bracket to reduce this discomfort. Over time, calluses will form in the area, meaning you will feel little to no discomfort when the bracket rubs on the gum. If a wire is poking the back of your cheek, contact your orthodontist to have the wire trimmed as soon as possible.
