Even to this day, traditional braces remain a trusted solution for crooked teeth and various other orthodontic issues. That being said, the treatment is not entirely without its drawbacks. While the brackets and wires are moving your teeth, you may experience a few small problems. It’s important to be aware of the issues that can potentially occur and how you can deal with them. As such, here’s a closer look at 5 common problems with braces.
1. Sensitive Teeth
Sometimes braces can make the teeth more sensitive, meaning they experience discomfort when exposed to particularly hot or cold foods. This can be the result of the tooth’s nerves and supporting ligaments becoming slightly irritated due to the pressure from the braces. In many cases, taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen can help you manage your tooth sensitivity.
2. Sores on the Inside of the Cheeks
When you first get braces, they can be somewhat harsh on the soft tissues in your mouth. This can cause sores to form on the inside of your cheeks. The good news is that you can typically expect these sores to go away on their own over time. If they become a recurring problem, you can protect the soft parts of your mouth by placing orthodontic wax over particularly irritating brackets or wires.
3. A Broken Archwire
The main wire that connects the brackets and puts pressure on the teeth is known as the archwire. If the archwire is broken, the teeth may not move as expected, potentially throwing off your treatment timeline. On top of that, the broken wire may have sharp ends that could cause sores and ulcers. If an archwire breaks, it’s best to schedule an appointment with your orthodontist as soon as possible. Until the problem can be properly dealt with, you can cover the pointed parts of the wire with orthodontic wax.
4. Chapped Lips
Some people with braces have a harder time fully closing their lips, which can result in mouth breathing. This can then lead to the lips drying out and potentially becoming chapped. To combat this problem, you can drink more water or use lip balm.
5. Lisping
It’s not unusual for braces to cause a lisp when you try to pronounce certain words. In many cases, this speech impediment will go away on its own once your mouth gets used to your braces. That said, sometimes the lisp will remain until your braces have been removed; in this situation, your best option is to simply be patient.
Of course, these are just a few examples of problems that may happen while wearing braces. If you notice any other issues during your treatment, don’t hesitate to let your orthodontist know; they’ll be more than happy to help you find a solution.
About the Author
Dr. Isaak Yelizar is a graduate of the New York University College of Dentistry, and he completed an orthodontic residency program at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, NY. At SimpliBraces in Queens, he has helped adults and teenagers alike enjoy straighter, healthier smiles with traditional braces and other orthodontic services. If you’ve been thinking of getting braces, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Yelizar by visiting his website or calling (929) 229-1009.