Orthodontic Braces for All Ages in Alpharetta, GA

There is really only a small list of foods to avoid while wearing braces. This is to avoid damaging the brackets or to prevent food particles from becoming trapped between the brackets and wires. Foods to avoid include:

• 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. You can still enjoy these foods by slicing the apples or removing the corn from the cob!

1. Before brushing, do a quick rinse with water to dislodge any food particles stuck between the wires or brackets.
2. Beginning at the gum line, brush 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 will soon become routine!
3. Follow up with thorough flossing. You will need to use precise and careful flossing techniques to make sure you do not dislodge or loosen the brackets or wires. Dr. Jordan will help you perfect your flossing technique during your first appointment.

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

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

The million-dollar question. How long 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 provide a more accurate update regarding how much longer you can expect to wear braces.

With severe bite problems and/or patients with missing teeth, orthodontists used to need external anchor points to precisely control the adjustment of out-of-place teeth. The solution was often unfortunate looking and inconvenient—think headgear and external braces.

That is, until Temporary Anchorage Devices or TADs came along. Using an anchor attached to the jawbone, TADs eliminate the need for headgear and other uncomfortable treatments by providing an extra anchor point inside the mouth. They’re a safe and effective way to provide more exact orthodontic treatment for patients who need it—and not everyone does. Dr. Jordan will know whether TADs are right for you and can advise you about them during your consultation.

Absolutely! One popular option for less noticeable braces is clear braces. In the same way that traditional metal braces use stainless steel brackets and wires to guide your teeth into the correct position, ceramic brackets are white or clear ceramic that blend in with your teeth.

The cost of braces depends on which type of braces you choose, how long you will need treatment, and other factors unique to your case. Jordan Orthodontics offers payment plans that can work with your budget and get you the orthodontic care you need.