It’s amazing how many myths there are about braces. From the belief that braces are only for people with crooked teeth to the claim that if you have braces, and kiss someone else who has braces, your braces will get locked, these myths keep people who might need braces from visiting an orthodontist. Here are some false beliefs about braces, plus the truth to set these myths straight.
Braces Are Only For People With Crooked Teeth
Just because a person’s teeth look straight doesn’t mean they don’t need braces or other orthodontic treatment. Crowded or crooked teeth toward the back of the mouth, overbites, and underbites are just a few of the issues that aren’t easily seen but can be fixed with braces.
Kids Don’t Need to See an Orthodontist Until They Have Adult Teeth
Why would you have an orthodontist straighten your child’s baby teeth if they are just going to fall out and be replaced by adult teeth? In reality, there are issues not directly related to your child’s baby teeth that can be corrected before their adult teeth erupt.
Fixing a crossbite or expanding a narrow palate are two treatments that may benefit a young child. Extracting baby teeth selectively can also enable their adult teeth to erupt in a different position. Your child may still need braces when they are older, but bringing your child to see an orthodontist around age seven can alleviate some future problems.
You Need a Referral From a Dentist to See an Orthodontist
While a dentist may recommend seeing an orthodontist, you don’t need a referral to schedule a consultation. If your dentist recommends a particular orthodontist, it is simply a recommendation and you are not required to see that orthodontist. It’s important to find an orthodontist who is right for you.
You Can Straighten Your Teeth Effectively Without Seeing an Orthodontist
There are companies that now offer mail-order orthodontic treatment. You take the impressions yourself and send them in and they send you a set of trays to wear for a certain period of time. While this may seem like a cheap and convenient option for straightening your teeth, in our experience, the treatment is not nearly as effective as having regular appointments with an orthodontist. There are also potential risks involved when changing the alignment of your teeth without the guidance of a professional.
Your Braces Will Get Locked if You Kiss Someone With Braces
You may have read this in a book or seen it in a movie: two star-crossed lovers finally have their first kiss only to find themselves stuck together by their braces. The possibility of this actually happening are slim to none. The brackets and wires are kept close to your teeth and do not have edges or loose ends to get caught on someone else’s braces.
Have you ever heard a fact about orthodontic treatment or braces and you weren’t sure if it was true or not? Call our office at (843) 4-BRACES to find out.