While teens generally don’t like to hear that they need braces, there’s no need to worry. Today, technology makes life with braces much easier, more comfortable, and even more stylish. They come in a variety of styles, materials, and colors. Some are nearly invisible.
How long will I have to wear braces?
The amount of time it takes to treat your smile with braces depends on three key factors:
Early treatment
Early treatment enables Dr. Calkins to monitor the growth of the jaw and recommend further orthodontic treatment if it becomes necessary. Not everybody receives early orthodontic treatment. In some cases, Dr. Calkins may recommend that a patient wait until he or she is older.
What needs correction
The amount of treatment needed to correct a problem determines how long the process takes. Different patients react to treatments differently, so it may take one patient only 12 months to complete treatment but it may take another patient 24 months. Treatment times can vary depending on how quickly the patient’s body responds and how much work is needed to create the naturally beautiful smile you expect.
YOU!
Your willingness to use the appliances plays a major role in the length of time it takes to complete your treatment. You’ll help make your treatment shorter by remembering to take care of your braces and appliances.
Braces Your Way
At Sunrise Orthodontics, Dr. Calkins offers a variety of braces, types and styles, to choose from. Some common orthodontics for children and teens in Reston VA include:
- Invisible aligners
- Advanced ceramic braces
- Lingual braces
- Insignia™ self-ligating customized braces
What can I eat while wearing braces?
You’ve probably heard from your parents, friends, and even your orthodontist about the long list of foods and beverages that you should avoid while wearing braces. While it may seem as though you’re giving up a lot, it is important to avoid eating certain foods. We also want you to enjoy your experience with braches, so here’s a quick list of foods to avoid and foods you can eat while wearing braces.
Foods to avoid while wearing braces
- Chewy foods – bagels, licorice
- Crunchy foods – popcorn, chips, ice
- Sticky foods – caramel candies, chewing gum
- Hard foods – nuts, hard candies
- Foods that require biting into – corn on the cob, apples, and carrots
Foods you CAN eat while wearing braces
- Dairy – soft cheese, pudding, milk based drinks
- Breads – soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts
- Grains – pasta, soft cooked rice
- Meats & poultry – soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
- Seafood – tuna, salmon, crab cakes
- Vegetables – mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
- Fruits – applesauce, bananas, fruit juice
- Treats – ice cream w/o nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, and soft cake
