Braces do more than just aligning some crooked set of teeth or fixing some teeth gaps; it makes oral hygiene easier to maintain as well as provide confidence. So, getting braces is one that will definitely change your life in a lot of ways.
If you are a new patient, you probably have a lot of questions as to how the procedure is done, how much you will need to pay, and how to take care of them once put on. All of these will be provided to you below. So read along!
The Most Important Reminder:
The first thing you need to consider is to go to a dental clinic that is reliable and legitimate. Teeth whitening, braces, and dental implants Raleigh NC should be done by professionals that are licensed, trained, and experienced as these procedures may cause hazardous implications when done inappropriately.
Braces Cost
The braces’ cost varies widely depending on several factors like the type of braces you prefer, how severely misaligned your teeth are, your local area’s economy, and other necessary dental procedures that need to be done before the braces. The more misalignments, the pricier it gets since more adjustments and checkups will be needed to complete the whole procedure and treatment.
Generally, you can expect to pay between $2,000 – $8,000. There are cheaper alternatives including Invisalign, which consists of a plastic tray that can also effectively align your teeth. To lower the actual cost, you may also opt to check your dental insurance company and find if they cover free orthodontic treatments, as they usually do for children below 18 years old.
Pain and Discomfort
Once the braces are put on, you will feel slight discomfort, although the discomfort together with the pain is relative depending on tolerance and discipline to follow all the doctor’s instructions. The worst pain may be felt and experienced a few days after the actual procedure, and your doctor may recommend and write a medical prescription. You can also opt to hold a block of ice against your jaw to alleviate the pain.
Foods to Avoid
Discomfort and pain may be felt at their worst the few days after the procedure, but the discomfort may last a little longer, especially when you are still adjusting to the braces inside your mouth. You will have difficulty in eating in general and will need to avoid certain foods to protect the braces and your teeth’s oral hygiene. You will need to eat soft foods like jelly sandwiches, pasta, peanut butter, yogurt, etc. during the first few days. As the discomfort subsides, you can now gradually eat the foods you like. However, keep in mind that you need to avoid these foods altogether:
- Sticky foods like caramels, gum, toffee, etc.
- Gummy foods like candy and jerky
- Foods you need to bite like corn, apples, etc.
Taking Care of Your Braces
By avoiding hard foods and brushing your teeth longer than you used to, you are already taking care of your teeth and braces. Brushing thoroughly is needed as food can get in between the structure of the brace and may cause decay on your teeth. Moreover, follow everything that your dentist prescribes.
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