How long does it take to straighten teeth with braces?

For the majority of patients, teeth straightening with dental braces may take anywhere between just 6 months and 2 years. Your orthodontist will be able to give you an accurate estimate of how long your braces treatment will take based on their experience treating patients of similar requirements.

Are braces painful?

Our answer is that braces do not hurt at all when they are applied to the teeth, so there is no reason to be anxious about the placement appointment. There will be mild soreness or discomfort after the orthodontic wire is engaged into the newly placed brackets, which may last for a few days to a week.

What is dental wax for braces?

Break a small amount of wax (approximately the size of a pea or bean) from the stick and roll it in your fingers to warm and soften it. Then firmly press the softened wax against the area of the braces that is protruding or broken. Once placed, it will cover sharp edges and stabilize loose pieces of wire or bracket.

What can you not eat with braces?

• Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice.
• Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice.
• Sticky foods: caramels, gum.
• Hard foods: nuts, hard pretzels.
• Sugary food: candy.

How do braces feel?

When braces are initially placed on your teeth, you usually will feel no pain. You may feel a bit of discomfort, as you will need to keep your mouth open for intervals while your orthodontist carefully arranges the architecture of brackets and wires that ultimately correct your bite.

How long do braces take to see a difference?

As a general rule, your total time in braces will be between 18 and 24 months. In that time, you can start to actually notice the changes in your teeth’s appearance as early as four weeks from being fitted. But two or three months is the average expectation.

Does braces change the shape of your face?

An overbite can cause the upper lip to jut out while causing the cheeks to look sunken. Braces change the way your jaw and teeth fit together, creating better harmony throughout the lower half of the face.

Why do braces hurt after tightening?

As your teeth move and the tension decreases, the braces lose effectiveness. Getting your braces tightened can cause pain and soreness for a few days. The discomfort shouldn’t be as bad as when you first got your braces on. After a few days, you will get used to the increased pressure on your teeth.

Do braces affect speech?

Nervous patients often ask us how braces are going to affect their speech. Having braces in your mouth does take some getting used to, but the good news is that braces are not like having a mouth full of marbles.

Are braces worth it?

While initially, the cost of braces might seem high, rest assured that they will be worth it. They may actually save you money in the long run. Those crooked teeth, missing teeth or irregular bite causing you to need braces could result in tooth decay or more missing teeth if left untreated.

How do you stop your teeth from hurting with braces?

1. Use an oral anesthetic. Orajel and Anbesol are a few pain relievers that can be applied directly to your teeth and gums.
2. Take over-the-counter pain relief medicine. Be proactive!
3. Use an icepack.
4. Drink cold water.
5. Eat soft foods.
6. Be patient.