Bracing for a brighter future
Bracing for a brighter future
December 11, 2007
By HANNAH NAUGHTON
Yakima Herald-Republic
You can't eat gooey caramel, chew Bubble Yum, munch on kettle corn or bite into a hard chunk of banana Laffy Taffy.
In fact, it feels like all you can eat is applesauce through a straw because your teeth are so sore.
Then, you walk into school with a piece of lettuce stuck in the metal on your teeth and no one tells you. You "thound tho thilly" and talk with a lisp because of your retainers.
But the most important thing that comes to mind when you hear the word "braces" is the set of pearly white, smooth, shiny and perfect teeth you'll have when it's time to take them off.
"Orthodontry is truly an investment in future health," says 49-year-old Yakima orthodontist Richard D. Christensen.
Braces cost about $3,500 to $7,000. Typically, youths between the ages of 12 to 14 are ready for braces and, on average, have them for 18 months to two years.
"As we all know, the public makes quick judgments on appearance, and getting braces is one of the best ways to improve your appearance with a maximum result," says Christensen, who's been an orthodontist for 16 years.
During that time, he says he has seen more than 5,000 patients whose ages range from 5 to 72.
Braces straighten teeth by putting steady pressure on them and by staying in place for a certain amount of time. Most kids just need regular braces, with wires and rubber bands doing their jobs to keep pressure on the teeth. The wires on braces help move teeth and rubber bands help correct alignment.
A lot of kids are scared to get braces because they are afraid it will hurt. It's true braces feel uncomfortable and your teeth and gums can be sore for a few days after you get tighter wires put in, but Advil or Tylenol will take care of it.
As for the candy, you can still eat it as long as it's in moderation and won't break your brackets. And sugar-free gum is allowed.
"The most important thing when it comes to cleaning your teeth with braces is to take the time to brush thoroughly," says 57-year-old Yakima orthodontist Bruce Willis. "With braces, there are many nooks and crannies where plaque can accumulate."
Not only does getting braces mean taking more time to brush, it also means having straight teeth that will last you the rest of your life with proper care.
"Of course I want braces," says Ashley Borello, a 12-year-old seventh-grader at Yakima's Riverside Christian School. "Having straight teeth is important to me and it'll change my life."
Alexa Farley, 13-year-old seventh-grader at Yakima's St. Joseph/Marquette School, got braces about a month ago because her "vampire teeth were growing out of the top of her upper tongue," crowding her mouth and having a "snaggle-tooth" effect.
She says after she got braces it felt like her lips were sticking out, and she had cuts in her mouth. She also says she was scared to get her braces, but in the end it wasn't as bad as she imagined it would be.
Sixteen-year-old Alex Cottle got her braces off a year and a half ago.
"My teeth felt slimy and smooth, and I smiled the whole day I got my braces off," says the sophomore at Davis High School.
The aftermath of braces: retainers.
Retainers help keep teeth from moving after braces come off. Some teens lose their retainers, or accidentally throw them away in a napkin, so you have to be careful with where you put them; they are not cheap to replace.
It's better to just wear your retainers than have to dig through the garbage or go through the whole process of getting braces again.
Braces can be inconvenient, but lots of kids have them and say they are definitely worth the trouble.
When will you know for sure?
On the day your braces are removed and you can see your new and improved teeth.
Tips for braces
* Make a dental kit to keep in your car or backpack.
* Sooner or later you'll eat out and get food stuck in your braces. Sometimes, a discreet quick swish or two of water dislodges it. Most times, it does not, and you must excuse yourself and head for the restroom with your dental kit, or risk grossing everyone out. Hint: Don't smile widely with food in your braces and (probably) nobody will notice it.
* After about a month, you will begin to feel more comfortable with your braces. However, there will still be times when, seemingly out of the blue, your teeth hurt or your gums get sore. Keep some painkillers in your purse, backpack or car for these times.
* You also might accidentally bite the insides of your cheeks as you're getting used to your braces. Fortunately, this heals quickly and builds some scar tissue, which is less sensitive.
* Canker sores are particularly nasty when you have braces. If you get one near the metal hooks, it really hurts. Get something like Anbesol (a dental anesthetic) from the drug store and apply it to the site several times a day until the canker sore heals.
* If you use a manual toothbrush, search for one that is "orthodontic cut," otherwise known as "V-cut." The bristles are tapered inward to form a V; this helps clean your brackets and teeth more effectively than a regular toothbrush.
* When flossing, use a floss threader. Flossing can be downright impossible on those back molars, so take it slowly. After awhile you'll figure out a technique that works for you and it will go faster. (For example, using your finger to guide the floss threader so it doesn't get stuck under your lips).
-- Information from Yakima orthodontists Bruce Willis and Richard D. Christensen and www.embraceorthodontics.com.
© 2007 - Yakima Herald-Republic
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