Q&A’s

Will braces stop me getting a boyfriend or girlfriend?

No! It should not make any difference in this area of your life. One of the most important parts of looking good and feeling good is having a beautiful smile. A smile says a lot about you, and a bright white smile with nice straight teeth will make people respond to you better and will boost your confidence and self-esteem. Having braces will also show that you care about your appearance and people find this to be an attractive quality. Also braces are so common nowadays and so many celebrities are wearing them, there is no reason to be ashamed of it. You may even find your girlfriend or boyfriend also wears braces.

Will I get teased for wearing braces?

It would be very unusual to be teased for wearing braces nowadays because most teenagers wear them and understand their purpose. They are so popular and even fashionable that so many celebrities are wearing them, there is no reason to be ashamed of having braces. Always remember that you wear them for a reason: To have straight teeth and a great bright smile. Anybody who may think of teasing you is going to be green with envy when your braces come off!

Can I still kiss with braces on?

Yes! You don’t kiss with your teeth, and contrary to the urban myth they don’t lock together!

Do teeth with braces need special care?

Yes. When you wear a brace you should be careful to avoid foods that can damage your teeth or braces. Stay away from hard, sticky, chewy and crunchy food, do not chew pens, pencils or fingernails, and avoid fizzy drinks and sweets as much as possible. This will make sure that your brace will not break which will add time to your treatment, and that your teeth will not get damaged or stained because of sugary foods and drinks. Just remember that a bright white smile is made of healthy teeth.

What about cleaning my brace?

You will need to brush your teeth and brace properly after every meal, which will take a bit more precision and time than brushing teeth alone. No worries, we will teach you exactly how to do it. Clean healthy teeth move more quickly which keeps your treatment as short as possible. A dirty brace not only looks awful and gives you bad breath, but can also cause tooth decay and gum disease, leaving you with stained discoloured teeth! Cleaning is essential to get the best result of your brace.

Can I play sports while wearing braces?

Yes. You can play all kinds of sports with braces on. However, playing contact sports, whether in organized programs or just in the neighbourhood, requires you to wear a mouth guard over your brace. Also you may not be able to participate in boxing competitions while your brace is on. We will advise you on the best kind of mouth guard to use while braces are on. Remember that breaking the brace only makes your treatment longer, and getting a kick on the brace without wearing a mouth guard can cause injury.

Can I play a musical wind instrument with braces on?

Braces may temporarily affect your performance and you will need a short period of adjustment to get used to the brace. After you adjust to it, you can play your wind instrument just like before. Of course, this differs from one instrument to another and you may want to seek advice from your music teacher. The more you practice your wind instrument, the quicker you will adjust to the brace.

Can I keep my lip or tongue piercing while wearing brace?

Tongue and lip piercings may contribute to breakage of the brace which will make your treatment longer. They may also interfere with the movement of your teeth and cause gaps especially if you develop the habit of rolling the stud against your teeth. Most importantly, if the piercing gets stuck in the brace, it can cause injury to the lip, tongue or gum. We will not refuse to treat you or force you to take the piercing out, but we will advise you of the risk of injury and of slowing your treatment.

How do I become a free member of Premier Orthodontics?

Once you join our practice to start treatment, you will become a member of Premier Orthodontics and gain free access to the members section of our website containing a growing library of free photos, videos, apps and information sheets, exclusive offers, emergency tips and a members forum to ask questions and exchange tips with others. If you are not ready to start your treatment, but want to stay in touch and be the first to know about our great offers: Register with us now for free!

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