You should avoid chewy, sticky, crunchy, or hard foods, as these can damage your braces and lengthen your treatment time. Avoiding sugary drinks and snacks will also help you maintain good oral health. You can click here for more information.

Getting braces won’t keep you from playing a musical instrument. Depending on the instrument, you may need to make a few adjustments at first to continue to play comfortably. Using orthodontic wax to prevent irritation may be helpful.

Yes. When you have braces you can and should still use a mouthguard while playing sports. The archwires of braces actually help to support the teeth, and a mouthguard will not only help to absorb the impact of a blow, but also protect the soft tissues (cheeks and lips) from laceration caused by the braces.

The primary function of elastics (rubber bands) is to adjust the position of your jaw by applying pressure to specific teeth, which can’t be done solely with braces. This is particularly important for fixing overbites or underbites, and helps to ensure your upper and lower teeth properly meet when you bite down, improving function and aesthetics of your smile.

Elastics may also be used with braces to help adjust spacing between teeth or to adjust the positioning of teeth, such as helping to straighten a tooth that’s leaning backward.

Elastics are placed on small metal hooks on the brackets of your braces, and can be positioned in many different configurations. They are easy to apply, and you will receive instructions on how to use them if they are part of your treatment plan.

Consistent use of elastics can accelerate the process of straightening your teeth.

Not everyone will need to wear elastics with their braces. Dr. Wirant and his team will let you know if they are a part of your treatment plan.

If recommended for your orthodontic treatment plan, wearing elastics (rubber bands) is not just an optional part of your orthodontic treatment; it’s an important component that ensures your teeth and bite align correctly. Not wearing them as instructed can lead to prolonged treatment times, poor bite alignment, incomplete results, and additional costs.

Braces can temporarily change the way you speak, but the change is usually minor and short-lived. 

You might have a slight lisp or have trouble pronouncing certain sounds, especially “s” and “z”. You might feel like you’re enunciating more than usual. This happens because your mouth and tongue are getting used to the new environment created by the braces. These speech issues will usually resolve in the first few days.

Yes. Throughout your orthodontic treatment with any type of braces or aligners, it’s important that you visit your dentist every six months for professional cleanings. Your regular orthodontic check-ins and your regular dental cleanings are both essential for creating the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted.

Don’t panic! It’s not unusual to occasionally break a wire or bracket when you have braces. Please give our office a call – even if you have an upcoming visit scheduled, so that we may best accommodate you. (We may need more time to address the repair and need to reschedule your appointment.) You may also need to do a minor fix yourself before you can get to our office for a proper repair, but please contact the office first for advice about this.

A lot of patients ask if removing braces hurts. The good news is that, in most cases, the answer is no! However, every patient is different and some may experience some mild discomfort during the removal process.

Dr. Wirant will first use a special pair of pliers to remove the brackets from your teeth. You may feel a little pressure as the brackets are removed, but it shouldn’t be painful. After that, any remaining adhesive will be removed from your teeth, and a scan will be taken of your teeth for your retainer to be made. And that’s it! You are now officially brace-free!

The most common side effect of removing braces is slight soreness in the mouth. This is because the brackets and wires have been in place for a while, so your mouth needs to adjust to their absence. The best way to reduce soreness is to take over-the-counter pain medication. You may also want to avoid hard and chewy foods for a few days.

Yes you do! You should definitely wear a retainer after your braces come off, usually indefinitely. Retainers help maintain the results of your orthodontic treatment. Most of our patients wear their retainers during sleep only.

Removing braces is a big moment in your orthodontic journey! After years of careful treatment, you finally get to see your smile in all its glory. But your work isn’t quite done yet. In order to maintain that healthy, beautiful smile, it’s important to take care of your teeth even after removing braces. Here are a few tips on how to do just that:

-Continue to brush and floss regularly: This one seems like a no-brainer, but it’s worth repeating. Proper oral hygiene is essential for keeping your teeth healthy, so make sure you keep up with your brushing and flossing routine even after your braces are gone.

-Watch what you eat: Now that your teeth are free from the constraints of braces, you may be tempted to indulge in all those foods you avoided while you were wearing them. But beware – certain foods can damage your teeth and cause problems for your newly straightened smile. So stick to soft foods for a little while and avoid anything sticky or chewy.

-Visit your dentist regularly: Even if you don’t have any more orthodontic appointments, it’s still important to visit the dentist on a regular basis. They can help spot any potential problems early and keep your teeth looking their best.

Wear your retainer!

By following these simple tips, you can help ensure that your post-braces smile stays healthy and beautiful for years to come.