Brace Face
Why wearing othodontia isn’t that scary.
Dr. Adam Goodman
TWEENS & TEENS News November
2007
Movie stars, models and professional
athletes— what do they all have in common?
They have beautiful teeth! Though most people
don’t always notice someone’s teeth
immediately, a beautiful smile can make a better
impression than many other characteristics.
Yet, famous people weren’t born with great
teeth. Take a look at any yearbooks belonging
to Hollywood hot shots and you will see that
many of these stars were once “braces
faces.”
When you start thinking about needing braces,
dread might hang over you like a black cloud.
Whether you’re the first kid on the block
with a shiny grill or the last in your class,
you should realize that almost everyone has
had or will need braces. For most kids, the
first trip to the orthodontist is scary—
even many teens and adults don’t know
what to expect or what kind of metal hardware
they’re going to need on their teeth.
However, while there are lots of different ways
to straighten your teeth, braces may be the
most common.
Before you get your braces, your orthodontist
may give you an expander, which helps make room
for your adult teeth. The expander works by
turning an oral key twice a day to create space
for your teeth. By using the expander, your
teeth have more room to come in, lessening the
need or time for braces.
Kids generally do not get their full mouth fitted
with braces until they have lost most of their
baby teeth. During the period of time when people
lose their baby teeth, many kids are scared
get a tooth pulled. However, it is important
to be brave and make sure loose teeth come out
when they are ready. Baby teeth can make your
adult teeth come in crooked if they stay around
too long. Also, orthodontists often need to
remove the baby teeth of tweens and teens in
order to speed up when adult teeth appear.
When it’s time for braces, don’t
worry. Today’s braces are much smaller
than in past generations.
A bracket is put onto each tooth and connected
with a metal wire. Your orthodontist then secures
the wire to the bracket with a rubber band.
The rubber bands come in all different colors,
and a lot of kids choose to make their smiles
as colorful as the rainbow. You may also choose
gray colored bands, which make braces look less
noticeable than the colored bands. Another option
is ceramic braces. As the color of your teeth,
ceramic braces are mostly just noticeable when
someone comes close to the wearer. If you’re
really worried about people seeing your braces,
you can ask your orthodontist for the Invisalign
clear braces, which fit over your teeth and
are practically invisible.
Once your braces are on, it is crucial to take
care of them. This helps ensure your teeth look
beautiful when the braces come off! Proper brushing
is the most important way to keep your teeth
clean. Because wearing braces makes it difficult
to reach all the spots on your teeth, there
are special toothbrushes made to fit in between
each small space.
Spending extra time brushing your teeth also
allows them to stay clean. If you don’t
adequately brush your teeth— and your
braces— food and sugar will likely get
caught around the braces, and may cause stains
on your teeth or cavities. By visiting your
orthodontist for every appointment, you take
the necessary steps to ensure you’re taking
care of your orthodontia and teeth in the right
way.
An Orthodontia Q&A
Q: How can I find a good
orthodontist?
A: There are lots of different
types of orthodontists ready to help you get
your braces. You and your parents should pick
someone you feel comfortable with and who
listens to your concerns about getting your
teeth straightened. Most kids find the easiest
way to choose a good orthodontist is to ask
their friends with braces who they go to and
if they like them. Your dentist may also suggest
someone to see. Either way, you and your parents
might want to research the potential orthodontists
on the Internet.
Q: What type of food should
I stay away from when I have my braces?
A: Most kids with braces
find that any foods that are really sticky
are hard to eat. Chewy candies, like caramel
and gum, can get caught on braces and sometimes
break them. Also, any candy with lots of sugar
can make it hard to clean your teeth, so choose
your candy wisely.
Q: How long do I have to
keep my braces on?
A: The average time for braces
is usually two years. How severe your case
is and how much preparation you have had affect
how long you actually wear braces. Some patients
are not cooperative with brushing or maintaining
appliances, and this may extend treatment
considerably.
Q: Do I have to wear a retainer
after my braces are off?
A: Yes, almost everyone should
wear a retainer after they get their braces
off. Just because you wear braces doesn’t
mean your teeth become permanently straight.
There is a tendency for the teeth to move
back toward the original position. For this
reason, patients must wear retainers. You
can either get a permanent retainer or a removable
one. Depending on how your teeth are, you
might be able to use an overnight retainer
to help keep your teeth in place.
With two orthodontic practices in New
York, one in Manhattan and the other in Riverdale,
Dr. Adam Goodman is certified by the American
Board of Orthodontics. Goodman’s Manhattan
practice is the largest in NYC. The treatment
rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the
waiting area and toothbrushing stations are
unique. Goodman’s schedule is carefully
created, limiting the wait time and allowing
new patients to be accepted. Visit Goodman
at www.goodortho.com or call (212)688-4663
to make an appointment.
