The Worst Advice We’ve Ever Heard About Teeth or Braces

Throughout the years, we’ve heard a lot of different advice given about oral hygiene, braces and teeth in general. Some advice is helpful, and some is very incorrect. Today, we’re going to shed some light on some of the worst advice we’ve ever heard about teeth or braces. We hope that after reading this, you’ll be more able to decipher between good advice and advice you may want to skip.

Getting Braces Hurts! Prepare for Pain!

A common misconception about braces is that they are painful. In reality, getting braces doesn’t hurt at all! What you will experience is slight tenderness about eight hours after initially getting braces on your teeth and after getting them adjusted. This can be alleviated by taking over-the-counter pain relievers, eating soft foods and resting.

Don’t Get Your Wisdom Teeth Removed…It’s Traumatic

Almost everyone has wisdom teeth. These are the very last teeth to erupt and are located in the very back of your mouth. Because many people don’t have adequate room for these teeth and some may have impacted wisdom teeth , it’s common to get these removed. But don’t worry, it’s not traumatic. In fact, it’s a very common procedure that will have you back up and running in no time.

Save Time and Money By Skipping Orthodontist Appointments

This will only set you back in the long run. Your orthodontist has constructed a detailed plan, tailored just for you, so it’s important to adhere to this plan for maximum success. Braces work by continuously and gradually moving teeth to the desired positions, and when this is halted by a skipped appointment, your progress halts as well.

Don’t Get Braces, They Leave Scars on Your Teeth

Some patients believe braces will leave marks on their teeth or can cause their gums to grow over their teeth. This is due to poor hygiene, not braces, so as long as you’re adhering to your orthodontist’s instructions and performing proper oral hygiene, you won’t have to worry. Be sure to properly maintain your oral hygiene by:

• Brushing at least twice per day for approximately two minutes each session
• Flossing daily
• Trying to brush after meals (especially if you have braces)
• Avoiding foods that can potentially damage your teeth and braces, like chewy candy

Just eating one piece of caramel candy can cause unwanted damage to your braces. When your orthodontist tells you not to eat something, there’s a good reason!

Be Careful About Braces Rusting

This is very untrue. In fact, braces are made of a special material so rusting does not occur. It doesn’t matter how long you have your braces, you won’t have to worry about them rusting.

You Don’t Need to Go to a Dentist If Your Teeth Are Healthy

Wrong! No matter what, it’s imperative to maintain your yearly check-ups with your dentist to ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy. Gum disease can lead to serious issues, like heart disease, so be careful to always maintain proper oral hygiene and see your dentist routinely, even if you have braces and are going to your orthodontist regularly.

Braces Are a Permanent Fix

This is one myth that we hear far too often. If patients don’t follow the instructions given by their orthodontist once their braces come off, they run the risk of their teeth returning to their original positions in the mouth. It is imperative to wear your retainer for the recommended amount of time to ensure all of the hard work you put into your braces remains.

As you can see, there are many myths out there, and bad advice is given every day. That’s why it’s important to listen to the professionals. After all, they’re in this for you, so you can maintain excellent oral hygiene for your entire life. The next time you find yourself wondering about an aspect of braces or oral hygiene, turn to the experts for the right answers.