Our team at Smile Cove Pediatric Dental has been familiar with orthodontic dentistry for many years, and in that time, we have encountered a wide variety of myths and misconceptions about orthodontics. We want to give you the accurate information you need to make the best choices for your own or your child’s oral health, so we have put together this article to correct a few of the most egregious myths.
- Myth: Orthodontic treatments are always painful. This myth likely has a grain of truth from people’s experience with orthodontics of the past. In earlier decades, all braces used stiff, heavy wire to shift the position of your teeth, which resulted in a great deal of discomfort. Today, however, our orthodontists use flexible nickel titanium wire to move your teeth at a rate that’s slower overall, but constant, which has made braces much more comfortable and less painful.
- Myth: Once your braces come off, your teeth will stay straight forever. Unfortunately, braces alone won’t keep your teeth straight in the long term, as the ligaments around your teeth will gradually shift them back toward their original positions. To make sure your teeth stay straight, you will need to keep wearing your retainers, even many years later.
- Myth: Braces are for kids. The last myth about orthodontics that we want to address here is the idea that braces are only for kids or teens, not for adults. In reality, you can get orthodontic treatment at any time—as long as your teeth, gums, and jaw are healthy, you can get braces and straighten out your teeth. If you are concerned about the look of braces, you can opt for clear aligners instead.
Dietrich & Kelso Orthodontics provides orthodontic treatment and services for patients of Smile Cove and also accepts patients looking for orthodontic treatment only from any other dental office. Please visit the Dietrich & Kelso Orthodontics website for more information or give us a call at 727-789-4450.