No matter how old you are, you probably are plenty familiar with braces as a dental treatment. While their shape and size have changed considerably over the years, the fact that wires and brackets have stuck around in some form for as long as they have is a testament to braces’ efficacy as a treatment.
However, as great as they can be, there are some problems that people who get this orthodontic treatment commonly run into. While managing them is easy, it’s still a good idea to try to know what you’re getting into if you’re getting braces soon. Here are some problems to watch out for.
Broke Wire
The archwire is a thin strip of metal running between the brackets, pulling them into alignment. This wire is designed to put constant pressure on the teeth, meaning that it’s naturally under a lot of stress.
If you aren’t careful, it’s possible for this wire to snap in two, just like a broken guitar string. When this happens, the wire is no longer doing its job effectively, and its broken ends may begin to poke into the lips.
If this happens you should contact your orthodontist for repairs immediately. You can also place a small wad of dental wax onto the broken ends to make the wait more comfortable.
Tooth Sensitivity
When you first get your dentures, or after activations, you may notice that your teeth become sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. This is due to some mild inflammation that may occur as the teeth begin to move.
This sensitivity is completely normal and is easily addressed with over-the-counter pain medication. After a few weeks, it should fade completely.
Rubbing Brackets
As you might imagine, having metal brackets rub the inside of your mouth can be a little bit uncomfortable at first. It’s common for this to irritate the cheeks and lips of new orthodontic patients.
While the mouth will get used to it eventually, you can use dental wax in the meantime to cover any brackets that are especially bothersome. This can make the process of getting used to your braces much easier to handle.
About the Author
After experiencing firsthand what braces can do for people during his teen years, Dr. Bradley Buchwald knew he wanted to be an orthodontist. Now he lives his dream, helping members of his community get the beautiful smiles they’ve always wanted. Dr. Buchwald received his degree from the Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, then completed his three-year orthodontic residency at the Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas.
If you have any questions about braces, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (972) 377-5940.