Braces for teenagers
If you’re a teenager, you likely have a lot of questions about braces, especially how they might impact your day to day life. We’re here to help you through every step!
How long will I have to wear braces?
One of the most commonly asked questions about braces pertains to the duration of the treatment. Depending on a number of factors, treatment can take anywhere from nine months to five years, from start to finish. Most of the time, braces will remain on your teeth for twelve to twenty-four months.
The factors that influence how long your orthodontic treatment may be include:
- The problem that needs correcting. The position of your teeth and the extent of the problem are the biggest factors to consider when you are consulted for braces.
- If you have had Phase 1 treatment as a child, chances are your next course of treatment will take less time!
- The way that you take care of your teeth and braces during treatment is vital to keeping the process as short as possible. If you don’t take care of your teeth and dental appliances correctly, it can end up increasing the time that you’re spending in braces.
What can I eat while I have braces?
Fortunately, you will still be able to eat all of your favorite foods, with only a few exceptions. For the most part you will want to avoid hard, crunchy foods, sticky/chewy foods and foods that require you to bite into them, such as apples and carrots. If you do indulge in any of these foods, practice extra caution to minimize the risk of damage to your braces.
What is Phase 2 treatment?
Phase 2 treatment is also known as “comprehensive treatment” and involves full braces that are applied to the teeth only after all of your permanent teeth have come in. This usually happens between eleven and thirteen years of age.
Over the years, orthodontic treatment has undergone a lot of change for the better that will make this experience as discomfort-free for you as possible. In fact, there are quite a few options for you to choose from these days!
In our experience at Ottawa Braces, many teens prefer the following treatment options:
- Colored braces. Braces are going to be a part of your life for at least a year from now, so why not have a little fun and spice them up by adding a touch of color?
- Lingual braces. If you’re worried about the appearance of metal braces on the fronts of your teeth, lingual, or hidden, braces might be the option for you. Nobody will know you’re wearing braces at all!
- Invisalign Teen. These clear, customized and removable aligners mean no wires or brackets for you during your treatment! It’s almost impossible to detect Invisalign aligners when they are being worn.