Braces are devices that orthodontists use to correct problems such as misaligned teeth, overcrowding, tooth gaps, crossbites, underbites and overbites. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), untreated orthodontic issues can lead to...
Orthodontic braces are used to straighten teeth and correct malocclusion, which is an uneven "bite" resulting from crooked teeth and overcrowding of teeth in the mouth. Even people with straight teeth sometimes have to wear braces to correct a bad...
Beeswax covers sharp orthodontic braces and wires that poke into the mouth, which protects the tongue and gums from developing pain and sores. Once you become accustomed to wearing your braces, your mouth will not be so sensitive to the braces....
Braces are used to realign the teeth in order to prevent or repair cosmetic or functional problems. According to the University of Chicago Medical Center, braces should ideally be used between the ages of ten and 14, however, adults too, can...
Children often worry about what they'll be allowed to eat while wearing braces. The good news is that most foods remain fair game. Nonetheless, after the initial placement or adjustments of braces, your child might appreciate servings of...
Dental braces align teeth to improve the function of the mouth and jaw. Once the braces are on, taking care of the braces is mainly up to the person wearing the braces. Certain foods should be avoided or eaten in smaller bites to help prevent...
The discomfort associated with braces remains a primary driver of anxiety in potential orthodontic patients and it is cited as the No. 1 cause for patients who discontinue treatment before the recommended duration has been reached, according to...
The cost of braces can run from $3,000 to $7,000, according to the website Braces Info, and both you and your orthodontist will make a significant investment of time, as well. Orthodontia treatment can last two years or more, with office visits to...
Braces are a rite of passage for the American teenager. Adult teeth often come in crooked following the loss of baby teeth, and orthodontia is used to correct the crowded, overlapping and crooked growth. Toothpaste manufacturer Colgate estimates...
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...
Orthodontic braces are made up of a handful of appliances that work together to straighten your teeth. A primary component of braces is the brackets. According to Orthodontics.org, brackets are made of tiny pieces of metal or ceramic. A glue-type...
Orthodontic braces serve to reposition your teeth and may be necessary if you suffer from an overbite, misaligned teeth or a misaligned jaw. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that, ideally, individuals should receive braces during...
A mouth guard is a piece of oral protective equipment, frequently used by athletes that participate in sports such as boxing, football, hockey or other sports where injury to the mouth and teeth may occur. People who grind their teeth while asleep...
Braces are meant to help your child's smile, but they also make it hard for you child to eat certain healthy foods. Hard, crunchy foods such as certain fruits and vegetables not only get stuck in your child's new hardware, but also can damage the...
When you get braces, you most likely will have to modify some parts of your diet to protect them. Some foods can break the wires and dislodge the brackets. If this happens, you will have to immediately see your orthodontist to have your braces...
The Damon System, devised by Dr. Dwight Damon, an orthodontist, employs many of the old mechanisms of braces, but with a couple of innovative exceptions. Regular braces depend on elastics to hold their arch wires in place. Damon Braces are...
For those not genetically gifted with a straight set of teeth, braces maybe in your future. However, with advances in cosmetic dentistry, there are numerous options in orthodontic braces.
Braces are a common orthodontic fixture in children, teens and adults. Thankfully, they should not impair the vast majority of your normal activities, including exercising at the gym. However, when competing in some sports, you may need to use...
If you have braces and experience some side effects such as a dry, cottony feeling in your mouth, there are solutions that can allow you to remain comfortable with your mouth until the braces are gone.
Twenty percent of orthodontic patients are adults, according to the American Association of Orthodontics, or AAO, which means that the vast majority of people who wear braces are children. It is easier to correct problems in a youngster's mouth as...
Having braces on your teeth requires that you make some temporary changes in your diet and the way you eat. Eating hard or chewy foods can damage or dislodge the brackets or wires of your braces. Until your orthodontist repairs the damage, your...
If you have crooked teeth, you may consider getting braces. Braces work by putting pressure on teeth in one place for a prolonged period of time to move them into a more desired position. Braces not only help to improve your smile, but also...
Your child probably isn't looking forward to having braces, and you may not be too thrilled about it either. From the cost to the pain to limits on food intake, braces are no picnic for your child or for you. Fortunately, there are some...
Proper oral hygiene includes cleaning your tongue, cheeks and the roof of your mouth, along with brushing and flossing your teeth. Although oral care is more challenging with braces, it is even more important, because bacteria can become trapped...
Orthodontic devices are used to straighten teeth and correct structural problems in facial growth. Braces are commonly used, typically installed during childhood years. Braces come in several styles, each suited for a particular purpose and made...
Getting a root canal done is enough pain in itself, but having to pay for it may be an additional source of pain. Dental work can be expensive. Most dental insurance plans will help cut down out-of-pocket expenses, but not all plans are created...
Orthodontic braces are brackets attached to your teeth with nonpermanent cement. Though the brackets are cemented onto teeth, they can loosen with excessive force. Wires and bands are connected to the brackets and used to move teeth into place....
Orthodontic braces perfect your smile by applying constant, steady pressure to move your teeth into proper position. The brackets and wires attached to your teeth are limited in the direction of the applied force, however. Some situations,...
Braces are a rite of passage for most children in the U.S., and although orthodontic practices have improved greatly in the last 20 years, most children still experience minor discomfort. Offer over-the-counter pain relievers to alleviate pain and...