Life with Braces

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Living with braces will require some adjustments. With modern braces, pain and discomfort have been greatly reduced. As an added benefit, braces are now smaller and come in a variety of styles, reducing the awkward appearance typically associated with orthodontic devices.

Changes to Eating and Cleaning

Minor adjustments will need to be made to your eating choices while you are wearing your braces. Avoiding hard, chewy, and crunchy food may be necessary. These foods can damage your braces and require you to wear them for a longer period of time. This doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy snacks. Dr. Michael Folck will let you know what foods can serve as a suitable alternative for the duration of your treatment.

Cleaning your braces will also require some adjustment. Brushing and flossing are particularly important while you wear your braces. In addition, the use of a floss threader and a proxy brush to clean in between braces will be necessary. You will need to visit Dr. Folck every two to six weeks to ensure your braces remain clean.

Tightenings and Discomfort

Braces straighten your teeth through gradual tightenings. You will need to visit your orthodontist for adjustments during the course of your treatment. The frequency of these visits will be determined by your orthodontist to complete the necessary movement of your teeth in the desired treatment time. Some mild soreness and discomfort can follow tightenings. This is temporary and rarely even requires over-the-counter medication.

Braces Alternative

One of the attractive features of braces alternative Invisalign is that it does not require so many lifestyle adjustments. With Invisalign, you will not have braces, but removable plastic aligners. Because they're removable, you can eat all the foods you enjoy and clean your teeth normally. Tightening visits are replaced with switching to a new plastic aligner every few weeks. Since you can pick up several aligners at each visit, this means you don't need to visit Dr. Folck as often as you would for traditional orthodontics.

Although Invisalign is not for everyone, it can correct issues such as malocclusion and crooked teeth. For people who are good candidates, Invisalign offers the opportunity to get straighter teeth without making the sacrifices that come with braces.
 
If you live in or around Portsmouth, Norfolk, Hampton, Chesapeake, Newport, or Virginia Beach, Virginia and are considering braces, please contact experienced dentist Michael P. Folck DDS today to schedule a free consultation.