There is a lot of misinformation out there about braces and the orthodontic process, and this can sometimes make people avoid treatment altogether, or relapse treatment they’ve already had. Here, we’d like to clear up 5 common myths about braces.
1. People only get braces for aesthetic reasons.
A straight, beautiful-looking smile is of course a big benefit to getting orthodontic treatment, but there are many health benefits to orthodontic treatment as well!
For instance, straight teeth are far easier to clean and maintain that misaligned teeth, since there are fewer crevices for food particles and plaque to build up in.
Misaligned teeth can make it more difficult to eat certain foods, and they can cause an uneven wear pattern because they grind unevenly.
2. Braces are for kids and teens; even if I wanted to straighten my teeth, I’ve missed my chance.
Anyone with healthy teeth can benefit from orthodontic treatment. Age isn’t a barrier to orthodontic treatment.
The fundamental process that allows teeth to move and change position in your mouth is the same for everyone. And these days, there is a wide variety of low-profile, virtually invisible braces options, so you don’t have to worry about looking unprofessional or childish in your day to day life.
3. Rubber bands are the least important part of my treatment, so I don’t really need to keep them on all the time.
We’re always surprised at how common this myth is! Although they’re not made of metal like many of the other parts of your braces, rubber bands play an extremely important role.
Rubber bands function to move your top teeth and your bottom teeth in relation to each other, so that they sit comfortably together, to improve your bite.
To make sure your treatment proceeds according to plan, you must wear your elastic bands full time. Otherwise, you’re just stalling your progress!
4. My teeth shifted after treatment. This must mean my orthodontist didn’t do a good job.
Having worn braces in the past doesn’t necessarily mean that your teeth won’t shift out of position over time.
This is why you have your retainer! Immediately after your orthodontic treatment is complete, you may need to wear your retainer full time. Once your orthodontist says so, you can move to part-time, but you should always wear your retainer at least periodically.