Our Brentwood orthodontist at Starling Orthodontics hears all sorts of myths about braces – from “braces pick up radio signals” to “if two people with braces kiss, their braces will lock up.” While most myths about braces are not this funny, misconceptions about orthodontic care can prevent some people from enjoying the benefits of straight teeth. To help you get the best orthodontic care possible, we’d like to debunk the top five myths about braces. 

Top 5 Myths about Braces

1. Taking care of braces is hard

While it takes a bit more time, brushing and flossing with braces is similar to brushing and flossing without them. It is still important to brush your teeth twice a day and floss once daily to remove food particles that may lead to tooth decay or gum disease. 

Our orthodontic team at Starling Orthodontics can show you how to care for your braces. 

2. Braces are expensive

While it is true that orthodontic care is an investment, the benefits of straight teeth can last a lifetime. Orthodontic care may be less than you realize: braces cost between $3,000 and $13,000, depending on the type of braces you get, the length of time you need to wear them, and your individual needs. Invisalign cost ranges between $1,800 and $9,500. 

Starling Orthodontics offers convenient payment options, such as low down payment and no down payment plans, interest-free financing, and CareCredit® financing. We also offer personalized insurance benefits check on your first visit, so you will know what your insurance covers before you or your child undergoes treatment. We accept PPO plans, flex spending, and health savings accounts.

3. Orthodontic treatment only addresses cosmetic issues

While orthodontists are experts at straightening teeth, they do more than just create winning smiles. The treatments that orthodontists perform can improve the way a person speaks, bites, and chews. Crowded, overlapping, or twisted teeth can be hard to clean, cause extensive wear to teeth, and interfere with a person’s ability to eat. Left unaddressed, orthodontic problems can lead to tooth decay, cracked teeth, headaches, and other health issues.

At Starling Orthodontics, we want you to be proud of your smile, but we also want to help you and every member of your family enjoy long-lasting oral health that comes with aligned teeth. We offer orthodontic services to straighten teeth, along with early orthodontic evaluations to help give children their best opportunity for a healthy, happy smile that lasts a lifetime. 

4. Orthodontic care takes too long

It takes an average of between 1 and 3 years for braces to straighten teeth, but treatment time can be shorter or longer depending on the severity of the misalignment and the type of braces. Patient behaviors, such as wearing rubber bands as directed, keeping regularly scheduled appointments for adjustments and avoiding foods that could damage braces, can affect treatment time. 

Orthodontic treatment takes so long because moving teeth takes time. Braces work by applying gentle and consistent pressure to teeth, which moves teeth to the desired position in the jaw. 

Some types of orthodontics straighten teeth faster than others. Invisalign can straighten teeth in an average of 12 months, depending on the severity of tooth misalignment. Our orthodontist can help you determine if Invisalign is right for you.  We can also monitor your progress throughout the duration of your treatment to make sure your orthodontic treatment plan stays on track. 

5. Orthodontic treatment is just for teenagers

At Starling Orthodontics, we offer orthodontic treatment for children, teens and adults. 

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a check-up with an orthodontic specialist before a child turns 7 years old. Early orthodontic evaluation will give your child their best opportunity for a healthy, beautiful smile for life. 

A child of any age should see an orthodontist if they experience the early or late loss of teeth, trouble chewing, crowded teeth, mouth-breathing, jaw dysfunction, or finger-sucking. Orthodontic treatment is appropriate for any child who has a crossbite, underbite, overbite, protruding upper teeth, a sunken or protruding jaw, or facial asymmetry.

Contrary to popular opinion, braces are not just for teenagers – adults can benefit from teeth straightening too. In fact, people of all ages can get traditional braces or Invisalign. 

If you have any questions about orthodontic treatment, contact your orthodontist in Brentwood. At Starling Orthodontics, we are always eager to separate fact from fiction when it comes to your family’s oral health.

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