What kind of ortho is right for me?

Metal braces are made of high-quality, durable stainless steel. They are the most common type of braces. The brackets, which are bonded to the front of each tooth, are connected by the archwire, which helps guide the teeth into the correct positions. Today’s metal braces are smaller, more comfortable and more attractive.

Clear aligners like Invisalign® straightens your teeth without wires and brackets, using a series of clear, customized, removable appliances called aligners. It’s virtually undetectable, which means hardly anyone will know that you’re straightening your teeth.

Only a trained professional can examine your unique mouth and help you determine what method of treatment is right for you. Consultations are free and can help you decide what the right course you should seek and when you should begin.

Foods to avoid with braces

Eating proper foods and minimizing sugar intake are essential during orthodontic treatment. Your braces are precise appliances that can be damaged by eating hard foods. Some soft and sticky foods can cause tooth decay, and loosen or dislodge your braces which can cause treatment time to be extended. Foods to avoid with braces:

Hard Foods:

• Candy
• Corn chips
• Ice
• Nuts

Chewy Foods:

• Bagels
• Licorice
• Pizza crust
• Corn on the cob

Soft and Sticky foods:

• Gum
• Carmels
• Taffy
• Licorice

Sugary Drinks

Also remember – pens, pencils and objects don’t belong in the mouth either!

When you first get your braces

You may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal and we promise your mouth will not be sore forever! To relieve the pain, we recommend dissolving one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish and gargle this solution in your mouth for just a couple of minutes (do not swallow the saltwater).

If the pain is more severe and does not go away after rinsing, you can also try taking a pain reliever. It is also not uncommon for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become used to the braces. We would be happy to give you some wax that you can put over the braces to lessen the tenderness. If you need some wax, please let us know.

Just remember, these feelings are temporary and will be a minimal price to pay for the beautiful result!