Orthodontic Blog - Fresh Orthodontics

Yes, of course, you can- but you shouldn’t for cosmetic and health reasons. You should not smoke with braces- not only to avoid the unsightly stains- but to ensure a healthy mouth. The smoke and tobacco will stain braces and ligatures and bits of tobacco can also get caught in the brackets of braces which not only increases yellowing but can lead to gum and mouth disease. And, your healing time may be longer, too.

See-through braces allow adults to improve the appearance and function of their smile without the stigma of a metal mouth. Clear aligners can be removed for eating meals and dental hygiene home care, then, they could be reinserted to continue tooth movement. The result of see-through braces: the patient gains confidence in personal appearance oral health is improved through properly aligned teeth.

Many orthodontists say kids should see an orthodontist once their permanent teeth start coming in, around age 7 because overcrowding issues begin to become apparent about then. But, the best age for braces for kids is between 10 and 14 years of age. Then, the head and the mouth are still growing and teeth are most conducive to the straightening that braces provide.

Dental spacers are used to separate the teeth that are too close together before braces can be cemented on. These spacers are rubber bands that will place between certain teeth. Dental spacers typically remain in place for a few weeks at most, until the teeth have moved apart enough for the braces to be installed. In addition to rubber, dental spacers may also be made of metal.

Braces can include: brackets, bonding material, arch wire, and ligature elastic (also known as “O-ring”). Regardless of the braces you will wear, the goal of braces is constant pressure exerted over time to move teeth into the desired positions. Special care and maintenance of not only the braces but your teeth are essential. If not, dental problems such as cavities may arise which will require costly extra dental work.