Go ahead. Get them all out of your system. Brace face. Train tracks. Metal mouth. There. Feel better? Braces are placed on and around the teeth to gently and gradually guide them to a better alignment for both cosmetic and restorative purposes. Perhaps your teeth are not as straight as they should be, giving your smile a crooked and uneven appearance. Or perhaps it is more an alignment issue which means that your teeth do not line up the way that they should when you close your mouth. Your upper teeth may jut forward or backward too much making chewing difficult and leading to uneven wear on the dental surfaces. Regardless of why you need them, braces are not nearly as noticeable or painful as they once were.

Traditional braces were once made of fairly heavy metals but that is not always the case now. Thinner, lighter colored metals may mean that the braces are barely even noticeable. The orthodontist who puts them on will adjust the wires at every visit, allowing the teeth to gradually move into the proper alignment.

Invisible braces go either behind the teeth or can be made of material that blends in with the enamel itself. Again, the fit of these braces will be adjusted at every visit.

No matter which style of braces that you are wearing, it is imperative that you follow your orthodontist’s full directions for care and comfort. Do not eat or drink anything that is forbidden. Make sure that you brush as directed and keep all appointments. Remember too, the teeth are loosened during this procedure and it could be far easier to receive an injury or to lose a tooth while wearing braces. Use due caution.

Some discomfort from your braces is normal and to be expected but excruciating pain is not. If you have any serious pain that is not from a known source or relieved with OTC pain reliever, then call your orthodontist right away.

Having straight teeth is important to your health in a lot of ways, not only cosmetically. Crooked teeth can mean that some tooth surfaces are not getting properly cleaned and could lead to rotting and severe pain. Improper bite can erode some teeth faster than others, can lead to jaw deformity and can also change the way that you breathe and speak. Having braces can not only improve the look of your teeth but the way that they work as well.

Braces are a serious step and not one to be taken lightly. They can involve some serious expense and there are usually procedures that must be done before they are even put on. Some people may have to have teeth removed to make room for the straightened tooth pattern. Some people will have to have a dental implant made and put in after the straightening is completed to make up for a space that has been created. Some people may even have to have both procedures done in different areas of their mouth. Each set of teeth is different and only your orthodontist can decide what is right for your treatment.

For more information about braces, dentists and orthodontists in the Miami area, go to www.miamidentist.net .