Allergies and Braces

It’s fully understandable that people might feel a bit nervous about starting orthodontic treatment with braces. But in addition to issues like having brackets and wires cluttering up your smile, experiencing minor discomfort, or having to restrict your diet, some patients are also concerned about the possibility of symptoms of allergic reactions to braces.

Can I Be Allergic to Braces?

While this may seem like a silly excuse your kids use for not wanting to get braces, it’s actually a legitimate concern. But being prepared for possible allergic reactions to braces will help you find the best treatment option for you or your kids.

The most common potential allergen found in braces is the metal used to make them. While most metals aren’t common allergens, nickel, the material often used for archwire and brackets, can be an allergen for some people. The allergic reaction to braces symptom related to nickel is dermatitis. Even though this isn’t particularly severe, the irritation caused by dermatitis can make day-to-day life quite unpleasant. Plus, there’s the potential that swelling and irritation can interfere with your treatment progress. Beyond simply losing motivation to continue your treatment, constant itching and salivating won’t be good for your teeth or your braces.

Allergic reactions to braces made with nickel aren’t the only potential concern. Some patients are sensitive to latex, a material commonly used for medical gloves and the small rubber bands used in braces. When it comes to Invisalign, allergic reactions are even less common, but they do still happen from time to time.

What Are My Options If I Experience Allergies with Braces?

If you are allergic to some of the common materials used in orthodontic treatment, you aren’t out of luck. You can still get straight teeth even if you experience allergies related to braces. If you are allergic to nickel, choosing ceramic braces could be a good option for you. Not only do these braces use ceramic brackets instead of metal, but they are also clear, giving you a cleaner-looking smile while your teeth are straightened. If you want to stick to metal, choosing platinum or titanium-plated braces can help you avoid the allergic reactions experienced with nickel.

If you have a latex allergy, you also can easily get braces without worrying about allergies. In recent years, effective alternatives to latex rubber bands have been developed, so you can still straighten your teeth even with latex allergies.

Can You Be Allergic to Invisalign?

If you qualify for Invisalign, this can be a great way to avoid some of the problems associated with allergies and braces. The plastic aligners don’t have any metal pieces to them and you won’t find any latex in this teeth-straightening system either. Conversely, if you are one of the rare patients that are allergic to the material used for Invisalign, you can still get a beautiful and straight smile with braces.

When you visit us for your free consultation here at Charleston Orthodontic Specialists, we’ll be sure to check for any allergy concerns so you can get the treatment that works best for you.