Braces
Braces for Straighter Teeth in Miami, FL
At Elite Dental Group, we offer a wide variety of dental services for patients of all ages, including orthodontic treatment. The most traditional orthodontic method is using metal braces with wires to straighten teeth. Our experienced orthodontist uses braces to functionally align teeth for a better bite pattern, which means that the teeth close together properly and don’t wear down unevenly.
We also recommend braces for cosmetic or aesthetic reasons, because a straight row of teeth can have a real impact on self-esteem and confidence at any age. Whatever your reasoning to elect braces as your orthodontic treatment, our team will make sure you feel comfortable and confident about the process every step of the way. We’ll celebrate your progress toward a beautiful healthy smile right along with you.
How Braces Work
Braces are usually metal, ceramic, or plastic that’s adhered to your teeth from 6 to 24 months depending on how much adjustment is required to align the teeth. Braces are well worth the time because they have numerous benefits, including boosting your self-esteem and the functionality of your teeth. From a practical perspective, correcting crooked teeth now can prevent eating and speaking problems or pain in the future. Plus, being able to normally brush every surface of your teeth reduces the risk of cavities and disease. Aesthetically speaking, braces are the foundation to the straight and beautiful smile that everyone wants.
Wearing Braces
When you have braces, flossing and brushing become even more important. Because there are more uneven surfaces of your teeth to clean, it’s much easier for food to get stuck. Brush your teeth after every meal with a soft bristled brush, and make sure to brush above, below, behind, and around the metal studs as much as possible. Then use floss to thread around the wires and in between your teeth. If you’re having trouble, you can always ask us about using a water pressure flosser to remove food debris.
Speaking of food, some foods are much harder to clean out of braces than others, so we recommend limiting certain things for a while. It’s best to avoid:
- Hard foods including nuts and candy
- Sticky and chewy foods including licorice, caramel, gum, and bagels
- Crunchy foods that require biting, including popcorn, chips, corn on the cob, unsliced whole apples, and whole carrots
If you eat these foods accidentally and some damage occurs, please contact our office immediately for emergency repairs. The same is true if any wires and bands on your braces come loose or start to poke your cheek and cause discomfort. We want you to be safe and comfortable throughout your treatment, so call our office and use a bit of wax to cover up sharp edges until you reach our office.
Call Elite Dental Group today to see if braces are the best dental treatment option for you!