Dental Braces Myths And Misconceptions
The appearance of your teeth will be one of the most defining features of your appearance. However, it is a reality that people will frequently find themselves needing to address either their own or their child's orthodontic needs. When a person is facing misaligned teeth, braces may be the most practical solution for repairing the problem, but avoid these misconceptions about braces that you may believe.
Myth: You Can Only Tell If A Child Needs Braces After Their Adult Teeth Have Emerged
Children and young adults are the most common patients for orthodontists. However, parents will often incorrectly assume that determining whether their child will need braces can only be done after their adult teeth have developed. Interestingly, the alignment of the baby teeth can indicate the positioning of the adult teeth as they will usually follow the same path. Also, it can be possible for the orthodontist to x-ray the patient's mouth to determine the exact positioning of the developing adult teeth. As a result, you may want to have your child's teeth examined by an orthodontist at least once every couple of years as developmental problems are easier to correct if they are diagnosed early.
Myth: Braces Will Not Benefit Older Patients
There is a frequent assumption that only children and young adults will benefit from braces due to the fact that their teeth are still developing. This can lead people to think that the braces will not work with adults that have fully formed teeth. Fortunately, braces can be a highly effective treatment for patients of any age. Adults may need to wear their braces slightly longer than children, but their teeth will still respond to this corrective treatment.
Myth: Braces Do Not Require Any Special Care From Patients
People may often assume that they will not need to do anything special once their braces have been placed on their teeth. Yet, braces will need regular care in order to keep them working effectively. In particular, patients will need to take great care when brushing and flossing as it can be very difficult to remove food particles that are between the teeth. Also, you will need to regularly visit the orthodontist so that the braces can be adjusted. Patients that have particularly severe issues with the alignment of their bite may need to wear headgear during the overnight hours. While this may sound like it will be a lot of work, you will quickly adapt to your new dental care routine, and the benefits to your appearance and self-confidence should make any inconvenience a minor consideration.