Are you exploring braces for your teenager? Your dentist in Franklin, TN, can help you decide on the best option. We’ll help you talk with your teen about braces, too. And we’ll make sure you both understand what’s involved in preparing your teen’s teeth for orthodontia.

Explore the Different Types of Braces

Today, your teen has many more options from which to choose than you may have had as a child. Some are less noticeable than others. They include:

• Metal braces — Metal braces are the most common, but they’re also the most noticeable. They use metal brackets that attach to the front of the teeth, connected by metal wires.
• Lingual braces — Lingual braces are less noticeable because the metal brackets are placed behind your teeth to make them less visible to others.
• Clear braces/ceramic braces — Ceramic braces blend in with the color of your teeth for a more discreet look, as opposed to metal braces.
• Self-ligating braces — Self-ligating braces don’t use tiny elastic bands to keep the wires in place. These types of braces provide a more flawless, even appearance within the mouth.
• Clear aligners — Clear aligners, such as Invisalign, are quite popular due to their invisible appearance. You can also take them out whenever you eat and brush your teeth, ensuring no food gets stuck in places you might not be able to reach with a toothbrush.

Brush and Floss Regularly Beforehand

The best thing your teen can do before getting braces is make their teeth sparkly clean. Brushing twice a day and flossing once a day the week before will not only ensure a clean slate to prevent bacteria buildup and cavities, but it will improve the health of gums beforehand. Flossing regularly is proven to strengthen gums, reduce sensitivity, and reduce inflammation. Three to ten days of regular flossing is all it takes to transform your gums into strong, healthy ones. Practicing good hygiene before getting braces will make it easier to clean them once the braces are on.

Call Today For a Consultation

Is your teenager due to get braces in Franklin, TN? At Cool Water Orthodontics, we have options. Visit our website or call today to learn more about the procedures we offer and which are best for your teen.

There are a variety of types of braces available in Franklin, TN, and they’re all available for people who want a healthier smile. The key to choosing the right one comes down to understanding what’s available and who the braces are made for. While there are more than these three varieties on the market, some basic information can help you decide if you’re on the fence.

Traditional

Traditional braces use metal, wires, and steel to straighten out your teeth. These are very strong materials, and thus, they’re perfect for people with severe misalignments. Metal braces have been around for decades, and they’re result are undeniable. Despite their efficacy, though, they’re also the most conspicuous type of braces, and they may need to be worn for up to two years.

Clear

Clear aligners in Franklin, TN, sometimes known as Invisalign, are a near-invisible way to straighten your teeth. You’ll wear these for around 22 hours a day, taking them out only to eat and clean. These see-through trays are comfortable enough that you won’t even necessarily notice them after a short period of time. The only caveat is that they won’t work for severe issues.

Lingual

You can think of lingual braces like traditional braces, except that they’re installed in the back of the teeth rather than the front. The brackets and wires are just as effective when they’re concealed as when they’re not, which can make for a good compromise for a patient who wants clear aligners but isn’t eligible to wear them. However, while lingual braces are effective, the brackets can also be damaged by crunchy or hard foods. (Of course, most people agree that it’s worth the trouble if they don’t want people to know they’re wearing braces.)

Orthodontists in Franklin

Choosing braces can be daunting. When it’s a long-term decision like this, it’s reasonable to wonder exactly what you’re signing up for. If you have questions about how long you’ll need to wear your aligners for, what it will cost, or what you can expect after the braces come off, the staff at Cool Water Orthodontics can get you all the facts. If you’re looking for a reputable orthodontist in Franklin, TN, we’re here to give you or your loved ones a reason to smile.

Lingual braces go behind the teeth, which is a great way to avoid any potential social stigma surrounding braces. It’s a great option for anyone who has more severe orthodontic issues (if they’re not a good candidate for clear aligners). The major downside is that you need to be careful about what you eat. We’ll look at the basics so you’re able to keep the brackets on until they’re ready to come off.

Avoid Crispy, Chewy Foods

This is a tall order for people, but it’s necessary if you want to be on the safe side. Anything that’s difficult to chew, like licorice, gum, caramels, or hard candies, shouldn’t be on the menu when you have these braces on. You should also stay away from very crunchy foods, like popcorn or almonds.

What Can You Eat?

You can eat pretty much anything soft or that eventually melts down. So, while you wouldn’t want to bite straight into a frozen ice pop, you can enjoy it over time. Muffins, tortillas, rice, pasta, and meatballs can all be added to the menu. You can also alter your cooking habits to enjoy crispy vegetables. Roasting, steaming, or sauteeing these foods until they become soft are excellent ways to get the nutrients into your diet without sacrificing the stunning smile on the other end of your braces.

The bottom line is that you need to be pretty careful with these devices. Having lingual braces in Franklin, TN is a major trade-off, and most people will slip up every now and again when they have them. If the menu sounds too limited, you should work with your dentist to learn more about what else you can do to straighten your teeth.

Dentists in Franklin

The right orthodontist in Franklin, TN will tell you everything you need to know about your braces. What’s right for you doesn’t just depend on how crooked your teeth are, it depends on your personal preferences. If you don’t want to give up your favorite foods, Cool Water Orthodontics can tell you more about how to retain your lifestyle as best as possible while still working toward a straighter grin.

When you get new braces from the orthodontist in Franklin, TN, you have to take proper care of them, or you could find yourself breaking your braces or doing harm to your teeth. Below are some of the suggestions we give to our patients who have new braces.

Watch What You Eat

Braces are easily broken by hard, crunchy foods. Nuts are an excellent example of the kind of food you can’t eat when you have braces – hard candy can be problematic as well.

Sticky foods are also a problem for braces because they can become caught in the brackets, and removing sticky food from those little spaces can be very difficult. Avoid eating anything that could cause damage to your braces. When your braces are first installed, your orthodontist will give you a list of foods that you should not eat.

Floss Regularly

Flossing is very important when you’re wearing braces, because even non-sticky foods can easily become caught in those little spaces between the brackets and your teeth. Floss every night. Your orthodontist can show you how to floss once your braces are put on your teeth, but even if you don’t get a tutorial in the orthodontist office, there are many helpful tutorials online.

Don’t Chew On Things That Aren’t Food

Chewing on ice can be refreshing, but when you’re wearing braces, ice can cause damage. Chewing on pen caps and finger nails can also be bad for your braces. Never use your teeth as scissors to open up packaging, and take care to avoid chewing on anything that isn’t food once braces are put on your teeth.

Contact Your Orthodontist With Questions

Remember that your orthodontist is a resource from the moment your braces are installed. If you ever have questions about what’s acceptable for maintaining your braces, call your orthodontist with your questions. You can also write down your questions and bring them with you the next time that you go to the orthodontist for an appointment.

Want to know more about getting braces in Franklin, TN? Call Cool Water Orthodontics for advice.

Has your dentist in Franklin, TN recommended that you get braces? If so, you probably want to explore your options first. So let’s talk about one of those options—lingual braces.

What Are Lingual Braces?

Lingual braces, commonly referred to as iBraces, which is a brand of lingual braces, are those that are placed behind your teeth rather than on the front of your teeth like conventional metal braces. They face your tongue and palate instead of being placed on the front of your teeth.

What Is the Purpose of Lingual Braces?

Lingual braces are designed and placed on the back side of your teeth to give you a more normal appearance. This is so you don’t see the metal brackets as you do with conventional metal braces. However, lingual braces still have all the same components as conventional metal braces, they are just placed differently on your teeth.

Are Lingual Braces Better Than Conventional Metal Braces?

Generally, lingual braces work just as well as conventional metal braces, but they have the advantage of being invisible. However, in some cases, they can be more effective than conventional metal braces or Invisalign.

Do Lingual Braces Cost More Than Conventional Metal Braces?

Yes, lingual braces do cost more than conventional metal braces because they must be strategically placed behind your teeth, making them a little trickier to deal with. Ask your dentist about how much lingual braces in Franklin, TN will cost, and they will go over everything with you.

Is It More Painful to Have Lingual Braces?

Lingual braces seem to cause more pain during treatment for most people compared to conventional braces, and the recovery time is a bit longer. Additionally, lingual braces will generally irritate your tongue, just like conventional braces can irritate your lips and cheeks. However, this pain is usually temporary and should go away within the first two weeks. Over time, your tongue will get tougher and will get used to having the lingual braces there.

Do Lingual Braces Give You a Lisp?

Yes, lingual braces will give you a temporary lisp. Since speaking requires your tongue to touch the back of your teeth to make certain sounds, the lingual braces will affect your speech. The speech impairment you experience is only temporary and should go away after a month or so once you get used to speaking with them.

What’s Next?

If you need a dentist in Franklin, TN to discuss lingual braces with you, please Contact Cool Water Orthodontics today. We are committed to providing you with the highest standards of orthodontic care in a comfortable, relaxed, inviting, and professional environment.