Braces can do a lot of good for a lot of people. They’re an effective way to straighten teeth and correct alignment. This makes it easier to have a healthy, beautiful smile for your entire life. The benefits come at something of a cost though, if the complaints commonly heard about braces are anything to go by.
Soreness and Discomfort
It’s pretty common for braces to be a source of soreness and discomfort. If you think about how braces work, it makes a lot of sense. Braces are essentially moving your bones, restructuring and reorganizing them. Discomfort is especially common after braces have been applied or adjusted. This discomfort will go away with time. Then there’s the issue of your mouth not being used to having a bunch of metal in it after they’ve been installed. There shouldn’t be any sharp spots, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t irritating. Applying dental wax can help smooth over surfaces, giving your mouth a chance to adjust and reducing the risk of sores developing.
Difficulties with Oral Hygiene
If you thought brushing for two minutes twice a day and flossing once was a hassle, wait until you’re trying to do it with braces on. The brackets and wires can make good oral hygiene tougher, which can easily lead to plaque and tartar building up, eventually resulting in the formation of cavities. Get a braces brush and use a floss threader to make brushing and flossing easier. Following up with a mouthwash can help get anything you’ve missed.
Self-Consciousness
Getting braces is a pretty big change, one that can make people feel self-conscious about their smile. Some people feel strongly enough about it that they won’t smile, a crying shame since the whole point is to create something beautiful. There are a few different ways to address that problem. If there are concerns about appearance ahead of getting them applied, clear braces offer a more subtle look. There are also ways to customize the appearance of braces. Choosing your own ligature colors or getting our Wildsmiles braces offers the chance to make them unique to you and an expression of your personality.
If you or anyone you know has ever had braces, you’ve probably heard or expressed at least one of these complaints before. The good news is that no one who has braces has to just suck it up and deal with them. There are things that can be done to make things better. Talk to an orthodontist if you have any questions about how these complaints can be resolved.
Not keen on traditional metal braces? Check out the different Types of Braces available today. You might be surprised by some of the options.
