Confident Smiles Start with Braces at Any Age

Despite what you may have heard about dietary restriction with braces, the list of foods to avoid while wearing braces is short. To help prevent damage to the brackets or to prevent food particles from becoming trapped between the brackets and wires, you should avoid:

• Chewy foods such as fruit leathers, beef jerky, or bagels
• Highly crunchy foods like raw carrots, chips, raw celery, and popcorn
• Sticky foods like caramel candy, licorice, and marshmallows
• Very hard foods like hard candy, hard breadsticks, or pizza crust
• Any food you have to bite into such as apples or corn on the cob — though you can still enjoy these foods by slicing into smaller bites or removing the corn from the cob

That’s about it. Basically, common sense applies here. If it seems like a bad idea to eat it while in your braces, you probably shouldn’t eat it.

Though it’s clearly different than not having braces, brushing with braces isn’t tricky at all:

• Before brushing, do a quick rinse with water. This will dislodge any food particles stuck between the wires or brackets.
• Brush beginning at the gum line, using a 45-degree angle of approach. As you move towards the brackets brush from both the top and the bottom, ensuring that the bristles reach under the wires and around the brackets. This process may take some extra time in the beginning, but once you are used to it, it will be routine for you.
• Follow up with thorough flossing. You will need to use a precise and careful flossing technique to make sure you do not dislodge or loosen the brackets or wires. It takes a little practice, but we’ll show you the ropes during your appointment.

Generally, braces are not painful. However, you may feel a little sore or uncomfortable immediately after you first get them. This soreness is normal, and it will not last long.

A saltwater rinse can help relieve soreness and inflammation. Dissolve a single teaspoon of salt in a full cup of lukewarm water and swish around your mouth for a few minutes. If soreness persists, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. If you experience lip, cheek, or tongue irritation in the weeks after getting braces, some orthodontic wax can alleviate the problem quickly.

The amount of time that you will need to wear braces varies, depending on several things, such as the severity of your bite problem. Most patients need to wear braces for 12 to 24 months, but this can be shorter or longer depending on your case. We’ll discuss this with you and give you a general idea of what you can expect.

After several months of wearing braces, we can measure progress more easily and more accurately update you regarding how much longer you can expect to wear braces.

Of course! Ceramic braces, for example, are a popular option when you want a bit more discreet approach. They’re very similar to traditional metal braces in how they work and can be just as effective as metal braces. The difference is that instead of metal alloys, ceramic brackets are made of a white or clear ceramic material that better blends with your smile. In addition, we offer Invisalign® treatment, which has additional benefits beyond a more discreet treatment approach.

Great question! Though we understand why cost is an important factor in making an educated decision about treatment, we just can’t give you an exact answer. That’s because our approach is customized to the unique needs of every patient. The good news: we’re committed to making treatment affordable for all, and we offer flexible financing for any budget to families and individuals in Grand Haven, Ludington, Whitehall, Holland, Cadillac, and Big Rapids.

Yes, many insurance plans do cover braces, and we’re committed to making orthodontic treatment accessible for every patient and family. We accept most insurance plans and work closely with you to maximize your benefits, ensuring you get the most out of your coverage. We also offer affordable payment plans designed to fit any budget, so you can achieve the smile you’ve always wanted without breaking the bank.