One of my friends has to get braces soon and she was a little worried so I decided to write this article to let people know what braces are really like. They can be a little scary if you don't know anything about them. I admit I was afraid they would hurt and I didn't want to get them. But once I got them I realized they weren't so bad and there was really nothing to be afraid of.
I also realized that the orthodontist and the dentist will tend to tell you it's not going to hurt but other people who have had them will tell you they will hurt. So I'm going to tell you what I have experienced with braces so you can get a better idea about them.
Before you get your braces on there may be some things you will need done to your teeth for them to ready to have braces. For example I had to get teeth pulled before getting braces. I had six teeth pulled, two baby teeth, and four to make room in my mouth. If you have to get teeth pulled don't worry, they numb you and it won't hurt very much, although it may hurt a little after the numbing wears off.
You might have to get an expander also. An expander is something that they put at the roof of your mouth that will expand your mouth so that your teeth have more room. You have a key that goes in and you turn it every night and it expands your mouth a little more. I didn't have to get an expander but from what I've heard they only hurt a little. Most people also have to get spacers about a week before getting braces. Spacers are little rubber band type things that go in between your back teeth. They space your teeth out a little so you have more room in your mouth. They hurt a little and they do get a little annoying because it feels like you have something stuck between your teeth, only you have four-six of them. But other than that they won't be bad at all.
Getting your braces on takes about three-four hours and I recommend taking ibuprofen or pain reliever before you go so it doesn't hurt as bad after. It didn't hurt when they put the braces on but my mouth was very sore afterwards. You have to stick to softer foods for a few days until your teeth get used to your braces. They may also feel sharp because your mouth isn't used to them yet. Your orthodontist will probably give you wax to put over any sharp spots on your braces or you can find it at most drug stores.
About once a month you will have to go and get your braces tightened. They will tighten your wire so that your teeth will keep moving along. You can get your braces colors changed and they sometimes will change your wire or make small changes just to make sure your teeth will come out nice and straight. Your mouth will probably be a little sore after this for about two or three days but ibuprofen should help. They may also give you rubber bands which hook from the front of your top teeth to the back of your bottom teeth. This will help to fill in gaps and to pull your front teeth back if you have an over bite. Rubber bands don't hurt but they feel weird until you get used to them.
All in all braces aren't bad and they don't hurt too much. They're worth getting because your teeth will look great after you get them off. My teeth were really messed up before I got braces. I've had them for about a year and a half and they already look close to perfect already.
Thanks for reading, Morgan612.
