Braces are an extremely popular option for orthodontic dentistry, and offer a variety of benefits.
However, there are still a number of major misconceptions that people have about getting braces. In some cases, these myths might even lead someone to think they don’t need braces, or would prefer not to get treatment at all.
That’s why it’s so important for us to get things ‘straightened out’ and explain the truths about braces. Here are three of the most common misconceptions, and the actual facts!
1. Only teenagers get braces
One of the biggest misconceptions about braces is that they are for teenagers. While it’s certainly true that many teenagers do get braces, that doesn’t mean you can’t if you were born before Y2K.
Most teenagers get braces at that age simply because that’s when they finally have all of their adult teeth, but need to have those teeth aligned before they can cause problems. And since preventative measures are usually most effective when they’re done immediately, that’s why teenagers tend to get braces right away.
However, anyone can get – and benefit from – braces. Many of our adult orthodontic patients come in because they didn’t get braces at a younger age even though they might have benefited from alignment earlier on.
It’s never too late to reap the rewards of straight, aligned teeth, which is why more and more adults are getting braces.
2. Braces will only straighten your teeth
Another popular myth is that braces will straighten your teeth, but not do anything other than that. When in fact, straightening is just part of what braces are capable of.
Braces can:
- Straighten teeth
- Align your bite
- Close gaps
- Fix over- and under-bites
What braces will do for you will depend on your oral health needs. You may only need to straighten your teeth and close a gap or two between them, for example.
Your orthodontist will be able to talk you through what braces will do for your teeth during your initial consultation.
3. Braces are really painful
The final big myth around getting braces is that they are really painful, or will hurt from the moment they go on until the day they come off.
It’s easy to see where this misconception came from, because there can be some discomfort in the few days after you get your braces on when your teeth begin to move. After all, the braces pressure your teeth to move into place, and even though the process is slow, you’ll still likely feel it.
However, after these initial few days, your braces should not hurt you. We advise planning a diet of softer foods and stocking up on basic over-the-counter pain relief to help with any discomfort.
There may also be a day or two of discomfort following appointments, which are every four to six weeks. Your orthodontist will ‘tighten’ the wires during these appointments to keep the treatment moving, but the discomfort lessens with each visit as your teeth move into place.
Still have questions or concerns?
If you have any questions or concerns you’d like to straighten out before considering getting braces, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We are always happy to talk through the process and work with you to ensure your teeth get the treatment they need.