Why should I get Braces?
- It is hard to believe when you are going through it, but braces will improve your smile and make you look better. Your smile is the most striking part of your face. Look in the mirror. Do you like your smile now? Well, Dr. Kita will make your smile look fabulous. You will end up looking great. Think about how looking great will improve your social life.
Braces Improve Your Health
- You will be able to chew your food better.
Chewing is the first step in digestion. If your teeth are not straight, you will not be able to chew your food as efficiently, so partially chewed food will prolong the digestive process.
- You will avoid dental problems.
If you do not get orthodontic treatment when you need it, you could have problems with your teeth for years to come; your teeth will be hard to clean. You may experience gum pain. Your teeth will wear in ways that they should not. The effects are significant enough that many adults are now going back to the orthodontist for braces. In addition, there are studies showing that poor oral health due to poor alignment of your dentition can lead to infections in your blood stream that may lead to heart, liver and kidney problems.
At what age should I start orthodontic treatment?
It really depends on the patient. Dr. Kita likes to see patients as early as seven years old for an orthodontic consultation. Rarely is anything done at this early of an age but sometimes minor problems can be corrected before they become major problems. For example, a single tooth crossbite or under bite can be corrected quite easily at an early age.
Usually, orthodontics is not started until most of the teeth are in or there is a jaw discrepancy present and we can take advantage of the pubertal growth spurt of a child. This age can range from age 10 to 14 depending on the individual. If you are past this age then we generally can do orthodontics at any time. But as you get older, it is more difficult to move teeth with orthodontic appliances.
My child’s dentist wants to put braces on his/her teeth. Is he/she an orthodontist?
When looking for an orthodontist, it is very important to seek out a qualified specialist. Orthodontic specialists must complete an advanced specialty education training program that has been approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). Only six percent of dentists are orthodontists, since admission to orthodontic programs is extremely competitive and selective. General dentists and pediatric dentists are legally able to provide orthodontic care with braces. However, only dentists who have completed this ADA Accredited training may call themselves orthodontists. To avoid compromising your orthodontic treatment, it is best to seek out an orthodontist who is in good standing with the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO)
How long does orthodontic treatment take?
Once again this depends on each individual person and their treatment plan. On average, treatment can last approximately 2 years. But, there are some cases that are shorter and some that are longer. It just depends on the patient’s starting condition.
Can I still talk when I have braces?
Yes. Standard braces should not affect how you talk or the sound of your voice. You can talk, sing, yell, and act just as you do now. Braces will not stop you from having fun. Just do not get punched in the mouth. It hurts!
Occasionally the orthodontist needs to put in a gadget which gets in the way of your tongue. If so, you may have trouble talking clearly for a day or two, but then you will be able to talk fine.
Can I still play football, baseball, basketball, soccer, etc. if I have braces?
Of course! You can still play football, baseball, basketball, soccer, martial arts, etc. You can still go bowling. It is advisable to wear a mouth guard and try to not get hit in the mouth.
We recommend that you avoid sports where you will get hit in the face. Fighting, boxing, wrestling, karate can be very painful when you have braces.
I play the trumpet. Will my ability to play be affected by my braces?
Be sure to mention your musical abilities to Dr. Kita and his staff. They will give you lip protectors for your braces. The Lip Protectors will protect your lips and will make it possible for you to still play musical instruments. We have had reports of entire brass bands having braces with no problems. Most likely you will not be able to play as before, but with practice, you should be just as good as before having braces.
Are there any other activities that I should avoid when I have braces?
Dr. Kita can not control you and your extracurricular activities but we advise against you participating in activities where there will be many blows to your mouth. Sports like boxing, karate, and wrestling should be avoided. Fighting should also be avoided.
You should wear an orthodontic mouth guard whenever you participate in any sporting activity.
What can I eat with braces?
The better question is what can I not eat? Eating proper foods, minimizing sugar intake and getting enough sleep are essential during orthodontic treatment. Braces are precise appliances that can be damaged by eating hard foods. Some soft and sticky foods can cause tooth decay and loosen or dislodge the brackets from the teeth. Here is a list of foods and drinks to avoid:
- NO GUM (sugarless or otherwise)
- NO STICKY FOODS:
caramels, caramel apples, toffee, Sugar Daddies, Sugar Babies, Tootsie Rolls, Starbursts, Licorice, Gummy Bears and similar foods
ice, popcorn, nuts, hard candy (Jolly Ranchers), bagels, corn on the cob, ribs on a bone, beef jerky, pizza crust, hard pretzels, Doritos, Hard Tacos (carrots and apples are okay if they are cooked or cut into small pieces)
- NO BODY PARTS or OTHER THINGS:
fingernails, shoelaces, pens, pencils,
- MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE SUGAR INTAKE:
avoid candy, ice cream, cookies, foods with sugar, cake, pie
- NO SODA POP, drinks with sugar or acidic beverages (such as tea).
Do I still see my regular dentist while I have braces?
Yes. The best results with orthodontic appliances always occur when the patient not only sees the orthodontist every 4-6 weeks but also sees the regular dentist every 3-6 months for cleanings and check-ups. These regular dental visits are extremely important in the in the monitoring of the oral hygiene of the patient as well as possible areas of decay during orthodontic treatment.
Suppose I have a cavity, when do I get it filled?
As soon as possible. If your dentist or Dr. Kita sees a cavity, it should be filled immediately. By waiting, the cavity can grow into a large hole and possibly even cause your tooth to need a root canal or be extracted.
Make sure you tell Dr. Kita that you have a cavity to be filled and the necessary preparations will be made before you see the dentist. Usually this involves the removal of the arch wire and the bracket on the tooth with the cavity.
When I put my retainers in, my teeth hurt. Why is that?
Your teeth have shifted. This means MORE RETAINER WEAR NOT LESS. A retainer is used to help the bones around your teeth solidify without the braces on. As we get older, our bones reshape themselves to the ever-changing world around them. This means that your mouth is constantly adapting to the environment around it (foods, function, etc.). As a result, your bones around your teeth change, thus causing a potential for your teeth to shift. By wearing your retainers all the time for the rest of your life, you significantly reduce the possibility of your teeth shifting later in life.