7 common fears about wearing braces

A smile is more than just a smile! It brings out confidence and a first great impression.  If two persons who have similar skills and experience show up to a job interview, the one who smiles beautiful and confidently has a good shot at landing the job than the one who carries a stern face.  So why aren’t more people wearing braces to achieve that nice smile?  Costs can be a major factor.  Time, not wanting to spend 1-2 years in treatment, is another one.  Beyond, there are other factors that prevent people from seeking orthodontic treatment.  Here are seven common fears that our patients express when thinking about braces:

1)      Fear that braces will hurt.

              Fear of pain is normal to most people.  The truth is that braces does not hurt that much.  Many research and studies conducted on people with braces, patient ranked the pain level is average 3/10.  Most of the time, it is a light dull aching pain for 2-3 days then disappear. There is also over the counter pain medication such as Tylenol and Ibuprofen to help with discomfort. Other aids such as wax and silicone protectors can minimize any discomfort.

2)      Fear that metal mouth that will look bad.

              Kids and teens may fear that braces “look funny” and other kids may make fun of them.  The truth is that nowadays braces are so popular that braces are seen as a fashion trends. Most teens like to customize their braces with specific color ties to match their fashion sense and outfits. For adults or teenagers who cannot have braces, Invisalign or lingual braces are alternative options.

3)      Fear that food will get caught in between their teeth.

              Having braces required more hardware in the mouth.  There is a higher tendency for more food to get caught in between the teeth and will require a little more time for cleaning.  Most people spend an extra 10 minutes at night to clean in between their braces before bedtime.  They also spend a few more minutes during the day to brush or swish out the mouth with water in between meals.

4)      Fear that they will get bad breath.

              Bad breath caused by a heavier load of oral bacteria that release sulfur gas.   There are individual variations when someone is more prone to harbor these type of bacteria than others.  In general, if you brush your teeth thoroughly, brush your tongue daily, and go to your general dentist 2-4 times per year during orthodontic treatment, you can prevent bad breath.  In case that you do, discuss with your general dentist as there are ways to treat bad breath.

5)      Fear that treatment will take too long.

              For some teenagers, the thought of having braces each year seem like an eternity.  If treatment may last two years, it sounds like forever.  However, given two years of braces to achieve a lifetime of having a beautiful, straight smile is something not to regret.  That confident boosting smile is worth a lifetime of happiness.

6)      Fear that braces cost too much.

              In the 70s, the cost of braces is close to purchasing a new car and only those people who are wealthy can afford treatment. Nowadays, braces are so much cheaper and many offices offer monthly interest-free payment plans to make braces more affordable.  By eating in and not going to a fancy restaurant once a week, four times a month, you can save enough money to pay toward braces.

7)      Fear to make a change.

              When there are fears, some people may not act. It seems more comfortable to stay on status quo and not doing anything about it. After all, you have this crooked smile for many years and you are identified to it.  The thing is it takes courage to make a change. If you want a beautiful smile, you need to make sacrifices.  You need to take the first step to set up an orthodontic consultation and begin.  There is a Chinese proverb that said “Success begins with taking the first step.”

If you are thinking about getting braces, the best recommendation is to schedule a face-to-face orthodontic consultation so our orthodontist, Dr. Nancy Phan, can answer your specific questions.