There are a lot of myths out there about braces, and we are happy to help you separate the fact from the fiction in these common five examples.
Myth #1 Braces are Just for Kids
You’re never too old to enjoy a confident, straight smile. This is because, so long as you have healthy teeth, you never outgrow the benefits of orthodontic treatment. If you are an adult and have problems with crooked teeth, overbites, underbites, jaw misalignment, etc, then now is the time to act. Make an appointment with us and learn what a difference adult orthodontic treatment can make in your life.
Myth #2 You Can’t Play Sports While Wearing Braces
There’s no need to take yourself out of the game just because you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. We are more than happy to provide you with a protective mouth guard to slide into your mouth and protect your teeth while playing contact sports.
Myth #3 Tighter Braces = Faster, More Efficient Treatment
Some may think that increasing the tightness of braces past the comfortable level your orthodontist prescribes will make teeth straighten faster and will therefore decrease time spent in braces. However, this is not the case. A certain level of force is necessary to gently shift teeth into the correct position and give you that straight smile you desire, but too much force can damage your teeth and their surrounding tissues, leading to even more time spent in braces.
Myth #4 Braces are Unattractive
With so many different types of braces available, you never have to worry about your orthodontic treatment cramping your style. Traditional braces (which have improved aesthetically over the years), clear aligners, and lingual braces are just a few of the treatment options that we offer to straighten your teeth while preserving the confidence of your smile.
Myth #5 Once I’m Done With Braces, My Teeth Will Be Straight Forever
This too, is but a myth. Getting your teeth into the correct position via orthodontic treatment is the first part of the fight for a straight smile. The second part is the effort you put into keeping them straight after the braces are removed. You see, teeth connect to bone via elastic fibers, which get stretched or compressed when your teeth move into their new positions. Then, once you get your braces off, these fibers rebound by trying to push and pull teeth back to their original positions. To prevent this from happening and keep your teeth straight, once your braces are off, wear the orthodontic retainers that your orthodontist has prescribed you.
Overview
All in all, there are plenty of myths in the world about what braces can and can’t do. However, if you ever want the hard facts, or are just interested in pursuing your own orthodontic treatment plan, contact us – We’d be glad to answer any of your questions about orthodontic treatment and how it can benefit you today.