Braces for Teens

Braces for Teens

Braces for Teens

Types of Braces

Teens can choose from several types of braces, including traditional metal braces, ceramic (tooth-colored) braces, lingual (behind-the-teeth) braces and Invisalign Teen (clear aligners made just for teen patients). Dr. Feldman can help you choose the right option for your situation and needs.

Sports With Braces

Teens who play sports may need to protect their mouth with a custom mouthguard, especially during contact sports. Wearing a mouthguard is good practice even for patients who don’t have braces, as it can protect your teeth and your whole mouth while playing sports.

Time Spent in Office

Most teenagers wear braces for 12 to 24 months, but it does vary by situation. You can generally expect to have check-ups every four to eight weeks while wearing braces, but these visits are very quick and easy. During these visits, Dr. Feldman can make quick adjustments if needed and can monitor your progress.

Flossing and Cleaning Your Braces

You’ll need to brush your teeth after each meal, taking care to get all food particles out of the brackets and wires. You might want to have a travel toothbrush and toothpaste with you while at school or away from home for this purpose. Dr. Feldman may also recommend a special type of flosser that makes it easier to floss around wires.

What Not to Eat With Braces

Avoid anything super hard, crunchy, chewy or sticky. These types of foods can pull brackets or wires loose. You can often still eat the things you love, but you might have to make some modifications to the way you eat them.

Cost of Braces

The Feldman Orthodontics team understands that money matters, so we will try to help you find an option that’s right for your family’s budget. The exact cost of braces varies according to type, how long you need to wear them, and other factors specific to you. We also offer finance plans to help your family afford braces.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which Foods Should I Avoid With Braces?

    You should avoid foods that are chewy, sticky or hard. In general, avoid anything that could pull your brackets loose, break your wires or snap your rubber bands. Stay away from chewing gum, eating popcorn kernels and chewing ice, no matter what. You can still eat most types of bread, meat, veggies, fruits, and dairy. If you’ve got a craving for a food that you shouldn’t eat, consider eating it in a new way. For example, shave the corn off the cob, and you can still enjoy that delicious farm-fresh corn.

  • How Do I Brush My Teeth With Braces?

    Brushing your teeth with braces is simple: You just need to be extra cautious. Take your time to make sure that you cover all areas of the mouth, around every bracket and wire, to prevent food from getting lodged in your braces. Brush three times a day (after every meal) and floss every night as well. Flossing should be slow and careful, never tugging on the wires. Dr. Feldman may recommend a special flosser or special flossing technique to make it easier.

  • Are Braces Painful? How Can I Ease Pain From Braces?

    Braces may cause some soreness in the beginning and just after an adjustment. This is normal, and it won’t last long. You can make a saltwater rinse (1 teaspoon of salt dissolved in 8 ounces of warm water) to swish around your mouth for pain relief. If that’s not quite enough to ease your discomfort, you can use an over-the-counter pain reliever like Tylenol or Advil in the dosage recommended on the bottle.

  • How Long Will I Need to Wear Braces?

    It depends on your specific situation. Most patients wear braces for anywhere from 12 to 24 months. Dr. Feldman can discuss your projected treatment path with you so you are able to estimate the amount of time you will be wearing your braces.

  • Can I Get Braces That Are Less Noticeable?

    Yes, you have a couple of options for this. Ceramic braces are tooth-colored and blend in with your teeth very well. For an even less noticeable option, there are lingual braces. Lingual braces are applied to the back of your teeth, so nobody will ever know you have braces. However, they’re not right for everyone, and the treatment with lingual braces is more complex than with other kinds of braces. If you want a no-metal option, Invisalign might be a great choice. Invisalign are clear plastic aligners that shift your teeth gradually, and it takes about the same amount of time as braces.

  • How much do braces cost?

    The cost of braces depends on several factors, including the type of braces you choose and the length of time that you wear them. Therefore, the cost can vary considerably from one patient to the next. At Feldman Orthodontics, we fully understand that you need to stick to your budget, and we will do everything possible to make braces affordable for you. We can work with your insurance provider and offer payment plans as well.