Braces In Milford, MI
We offer metal braces to both children and adults. Dr. Siara-Olds treats patients of all ages, whether they’re 7 or 70. That being said, we’d be more than happy to determine if you’re a candidate for metal braces. But first, you’ll need to request a consultation with our orthodontist in Milford, MI.
In the meantime, here’s everything you need to know about metal braces.
HOW DO METAL BRACES WORK?
Metal braces exert constant, gentle pressure on your teeth in a controlled direction. This slowly moves your teeth to their corrected positions. During your treatment, you may also need other appliances to move your jaw so you can achieve the smile of your dreams.
Check out the diagram here to learn about the different parts of metal braces.
HOW LONG WILL I NEED BRACES?
In general, most patients will need to wear between one and three years. Interceptive, or early treatment procedures, may take as little as six months. But it’s important to remember that each patient is different.
Patients grow at different rates, which affects how they respond to orthodontic treatment. Likewise, patients will need to wear their elastics or any appliances as prescribed.
HOW DO YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR TEETH WITH BRACES?
Brush your teeth after every meal and floss at least once a day. This will help remove plaque and food particles so you can avoid cavities. It’ll also help reduce the likelihood of staining around your brackets.
Use toothpaste that contains fluoride to help strengthen your enamel against acid attacks from plaque. For extra protection, ask your family dentist if they offer in-office fluoride treatment.
Continue seeing your dentist every 6 months for preventive care. If anything, this will be even more important during orthodontic treatment. This is because food can get stuck around wires and brackets, which is difficult to reach. Over time, this can lead to plaque and tartar buildup.
DO METAL BRACES HURT?
When you , you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is normal and we promise your mouth will not be sore forever!
To relieve the pain, dissolve one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish and gargle this solution in your mouth for a couple of minutes but do NOT swallow the saltwater.
If the pain is more severe and does not go away after rinsing, you can also try taking a pain reliever.
It’s not uncommon for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated for one to two weeks after getting braces for the first time. Over time, they’ll toughen and become used to the braces.
We would be happy to give you some wax that you can put over the braces to lessen the tenderness. If you need some wax, please let us know.
WHAT CAN I EAT WITH BRACES?
In general, you’ll need to avoid any foods that are hard-to-chew and/or sticky. Otherwise, you may damage your wires or brackets.
FOODS TO AVOID WITH BRACES:
- Chewy foods (bagels, licorice)
- Crunchy foods (popcorn, chips, ice)
- Sticky foods (caramel candies, chewing gum)
- Hard foods (nuts, hard candies)
- Foods that require biting into (corn on the cob, apples, carrots)
CAN I PLAY SPORTS WHILE WEARING BRACES?
Yes, you can still play sports while undergoing orthodontic treatment. But you’ll need to wear a mouth guard. Let Dr. Siara-Olds or your dentist know if you need help finding the right one.
REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT WITH DR. SIARA-OLDS
Dr. Siara-Olds is a board-certified orthodontist in Milford, MI. As such, she’d be more than happy to help you explore your options for orthodontic treatment.
