7 Common Myths about Braces

When thinking about braces, people tend to have a stereotypical image about people wearing braces as well as many myths about braces themselves. Here are 7 common myths that Dr. Nancy Phan often hears in our Care Orthodontics practice.

Myth 1: Braces are just for kids. 

Although many kids wear braces, adults have braces, too. The American Association of Orthodontists conducted a survey in 2015 and found that nearly 40% of orthodontic patients are adults. Adults can still wear braces to correct teeth, bite and achieve a better smile appearance.

Myth 2: My general dentist can do braces faster and cheaper. 

With a flood of advertisement about "six month braces" or "fast braces," it may seem like your general dentist is better at doing orthodontics than an orthodontist. They market wearing braces for only six months, while your orthodontist may recommend 18 months of treatment, and you may wonder why. The devil lies in the details.

As the old adage says, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." With speedy braces, you get only a quick alignment of teeth, not the full correction of the bite. Your treatment may include just the alignment of the front teeth.

The deep bite, open bite, excessive bite and misaligned bite are not commonly addressed. Without proper bite correction or root alignment, aligned teeth can relapse quickly. Depending on if you want to get partial treatment or full treatment, you have to decide with whom to render orthodontic treatment.

Myth 3: Braces mean metal mouth.

Although traditional braces are metal braces, there are many options to having braces today. You can get ceramic braces that include clear-colored brackets. You can also get removable braces, such as Invisalign, without any type of metal in the mouth.

Myth 4: Braces are just for crooked teeth.

Braces correct more than crooked teeth! For example, you may not have crooked teeth but your front teeth may not come together. They interfere with the way you eat and talk, thus you need braces. In other cases, your teeth may be straight but you show too much gum and your bite is off to one side when biting down. Braces can correct all of these bite problems in addition to straightening the teeth.

Myth 5: Braces are too costly and I cannot afford it. 

Braces take time and resources, and just like any medical procedure, they can be expensive. At Care Orthodontics, we work out flexible payment plans along with insurance coverage, flexible spending accounts and other payment options to reduce the financial burden and make it fit within your budget.

Myth 6: Braces are too painful. 

Although braces can cause discomfort, they are not as painful as you might think. Many studies have been done to survey patients. People, statistically averaged, rate the discomfort of having braces at about two on a scale of one to ten. This discomfort happens mostly during the first three days after braces are put on. Don't let the fear of pain keep you away from attaining that attractive smile that you've always dreamt of!

Myth 7: Braces will make me lose weight.

While some people see it as a good thing, others may not want to lose any weight. Most people think that, with braces on, you have to stop eating normal food and start eating soup every day. 

Although we tell you to stay away from hard and sticky food while wearing braces, you can eat 95% of the foods you normally eat. For the hard and sticky foods, such as apples, corn on the cob and caramel, you have to find creative ways to eat them, such as cutting it into small pieces, chewing slowly or taking small bites.

Give our office a call if you wish to schedule a complimentary consultation. For more information, please visit our website, www.CareOrthodontics.com.