Frequently Asked Questions

Life with Braces

Will braces hurt?

Will I still be able to play sports?

Will braces interfere with playing a musical instrument?

Will wearing braces affect my speech?

Will I need to change what I eat?

Will braces hurt?
We won't lie. Braces can make your teeth sore for a short period of time, but orthodontic treatment has improved dramatically over the last few years. Advancements in technology have made braces more comfortable than ever before. In the case of achy teeth, patients usually get relief from an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®).
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Will I still be able to play sports?
Yes. We recommend that you protect your teeth by wearing a mouth guard when participating in any sporting activity. Mouth guards are inexpensive and comfortable – they come in variety of colors and patterns, so you can even match your uniform.
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Will braces interfere with playing a musical instrument?
No—you'll be able to keep up your practicing without a problem. However, there may be an initial period of adjustment. If you experience any discomfort, you can try a brace cover, which usually alleviates any irritation.
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Will wearing braces affect my speech?
Wearing braces may temporarily affect the speech of some people, and you may have a slight lisp for a short period of time. However, as your tongue gets used to having braces in your mouth, any lisp or minor speech impediment caused by braces should disappear.
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Will I need to change what I eat?
Careful orthodontic patients can eat almost any food and not damage their braces. However, certain food types have a tendency to cause trouble.

Hard foods such as nuts, peanut brittle, hard candy and lollypops, ice, frozen candy bars, and popcorn can do damage by loosening cement under the bands, breaking the brackets away from your teeth, or breaking the wires.

Sticky foods such as taffy, caramel, gummy candy, and bubble gum can harm your braces by pulling on the bands and loosening cement, or pulling brackets away from your teeth.

You should avoid foods high in sugar content because sugar sticks to orthodontic brackets easily and may stain your teeth or cause cavities if left on your teeth for a prolonged period of time. If you do eat sugary food, including soft drinks, frosting, and candy bars, brush your teeth or rinse with water as soon as possible.

Also try to avoid foods that you have to bite into. Instead, cut up foods such as carrots, celery, apples, corn on the cob, meat with bones (chicken wings, spare-ribs), hard French bread, or pizza crust.

If you have a question about your favorite foods, please ask us. Above all, use common sense.
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