Getting braces is an important life decision for anyone who struggles with crowded or overlapping teeth. Often, it is more of a medical necessity than a choice, but before you embark on this path, you will get swamped by different unsolicited opinions. If you are considering opting for them, here are some common myths you might have heard about braces.

There is either a lot of pain or none at all

The amount of pain is different for each case, depending on the extent of adjustment required. Putting on braces on is an uncomfortable process that demands patience. Depending on your teeth's condition, the first 2-3 months could be a bit painful since that is when your teeth primarily reposition. Besides the first few times your orthodontist adjusts or changes the wire when the pain is inevitable, many people often do not find the overall experience not as painful. Consult an orthodontist about the extent of pain you might feel as they can give you an accurate opinion after examining your teeth.

Needing special toothbrushes

Your orthodontists might suggest special brushes because most patients fail to brush and floss properly over brackets and wires. It is adequate to use soft bristled, smaller regular toothbrushes. However, it is not absolutely necessary to get special toothbrushes, it all comes down to your technique, patience and thoroughness in oral hygiene. Make sure to clean all the tiny spaces through your braces.

Braces decay teeth

Despite struggling with an over/underbite, many refuse to go to the orthodontist worrying that braces damage roots and recede gums. Braces work through exerting pressure on your periodontal ligaments. There is no scientific basis that they corrode your enamel. Gum recession whilst having braces occurs from plaques and cavities due to continued neglect towards thorough dental care. You are more prone to dental complications if you have an overbite and uncomfortably jagged teeth.

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Struggles of Wearing Braces

Braces don't work on adults

When older people ask me if they could also try out braces for their unaligned teeth, they immediately laugh off their own question. There is misinformation circulating that brace are mostly for teenagers. While it is recommended that one uses them when they are relatively younger because the older you get, the longer they need to work. But that doesn't imply that they're useless on adults. It is never too late.

Braces never look good

You can choose from different colours of elastic ligatures at the orthodontist's clinic. You can ask for ceramic braces instead of metallic ones though metal braces outweigh the pros. There are options for shapes of brackets and colourful chains. I went with a rainbow spectrum and as 2002 as it may sound, it actually mine look pretty unique. Who said braces can't be fun?

Teeth alignment is permanent

Over time, your teeth start going askew again because the elasticity of your ligaments recedes over time. Therefore, after getting your braces off, for the first year or so, it's incumbent to wear a retainer at all times except when you eat and brush. However, later on, you cannot stash away your retainer if you expect your teeth to stay in perfect alignment. You will need to continue wearing them occasionally.

Before choosing dental alignment, consult multiple orthodontists. Make sure you are choosing the best process at the right cost. Refrain from taking too many non-professional opinions.

Nuzha forgives people for pronouncing her name wrong and wallows in books and anxiety. Suggest her fiction at nuzhaoishee1256504@gmail.com