Braces are often required for a straight, healthy, and beautiful smile, but getting braces can cause stress. Teenagers worry about how they look, while parents worry about financing the braces and ensuring their children are taking proper care of their corrective dental hardware.  Adult patients worry about how braces will fit into their lifestyle. 

It is our mission at Ghosh Orthodontics to prepare you or your child for the process of orthodontic treatment. We’ve outlined a step-by-step guide to prepare you for the process of getting your braces on, and resources to help you adjust to life with them. 

Seek Out Advice from an Orthodontist

An experienced orthodontist will be the greatest source of information and advice. More often than not, children and teens are more likely to heed the advice of a professional, and professional advice can make adults feel much more at ease. Orthodontists can better describe the consequences of improper hygiene and care. 

Dr. Ghosh provides free consultations in both the Allentown and Pottsville orthodontic offices. During these consultations, he will conduct a full examination and discuss the treatment options best suited for your teeth, jaw, and lifestyle. He may recommend traditional braces, the Damon System, or Invisalign. 

Getting Braces

The impressions of your teeth are made and it’s time for your appointment to get your braces put on. Before you come in for your big orthodontic appointment, be sure to give your teeth a good cleaning at home. Whether you’re getting traditional metal braces or Invisalign, you will want to brush, floss, and rinse your teeth to make sure they are prepped and ready. When you get to the orthodontist’s office, Dr. Ghosh may also clean your teeth with a polishing paste. 

To put the braces on your teeth, Dr. Ghosh will clean your teeth, dry them and then apply the glue. He will use a special type of glue that is safe for your mouth and becomes solid to hold your brackets in place. Next, the archwires will be placed on the brackets and secured with elastic bands.

For most patients, getting braces put on takes about 1-2 hours. The process may seem a little unpleasant and worrisome at first, but orthodontist Dr. Ghosh will make you feel very comfortable with this process. 

Your teeth and gums may be a little sore afterward and can be sore for up to a week. We wrote a blog full of tips and tricks to help ease the pain. 

Getting Used to Having Braces

Any type of orthodontic procedure may make you feel slightly uncomfortable afterward. If you prepare for this in advance, it can make this phase much easier. Your teeth can be sensitive and your metal brackets may create sores in your mouth as you are getting used to having your braces on. Ask Dr. Ghosh if you can take over-the-counter pain medication while you get used to the discomfort. 

It normally always depends on the patient, but you typically will get used to having braces on your teeth within a month. By the 6 month mark, you probably won’t even notice that you have braces on at all. It is normal to feel slight pain at various points of treatment as they get tightened or adjusted. 

After 6 months, you probably won’t notice that they are there at all. During that time, you might experience slight pain at different times of having your braces on. This is completely normal! The pain will go away quickly and should not cause any worry. 

All patients undergoing braces treatment will have to take on increased responsibility. Children must be trusted to avoid damaging foods that can cause damage to the metal braces. Eating damaging foods can cost you money in braces repairs and can cause your treatment period to be extended. 

When you are going through orthodontic treatment, you are going to want to spend extra time on your oral hygiene routine. Oral health is especially important during treatment. We’ve written an in-depth care guide for those with Invisalign. 

With braces, you want to brush well around your brackets and wires to make sure there is nothing stuck in them. Learn more about oral health and braces in this blog. 

Paying for Orthodontic Care

For many families, orthodontic care is an unavoidable investment and the investment can be substantial in large families. Parents can prepare for this cost by discussing their concerns and questions with their insurance providers. 

Dr. Ghosh offers payment plans to ease the process of paying for braces. Some of the costs may also be covered by insurance, the right insurance plan can help pay a large portion of the bill. At Ghosh Orthodontics, we want you to have a beautiful smile. Learn more about the financial options available. 

Other options such as discount dental groups, state plans, and government programs are available to individuals requiring orthodontic services. As with any investment, it can be very valuable to do proper research ahead of time and map out the course of action that will be best for themselves or for their family. 

Braces in Allentown and Pottsville

Dr. Ghosh understands braces are a big investment. He, and the Ghosh Orthodontics team, will do everything they can to make the process painless and stress-free. 

Schedule your free consultation with us today to be one step closer to a beautiful, straight smile!