Frequently Asked Questions

Nope! Wired Orthodontics offers a customized approach to orthodontic treatment, so our doctors offer ceramic/clear braces, self-ligating braces, and clear aligners. 

Take special care to avoid any foods that could damage your new appliances. We recommend choosing soft foods to eat with braces, including any of the following: 

• Dairy – soft cheese, yogurt, pudding, milk-based drinks 
• Breads – soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts 
• Grains – pasta and/or soft-cooked rice 
• Meats/Poultry – soft-cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats 
• Seafood – tuna, salmon, crab cakes 
• Vegetables – mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans 
• Fruits – bananas, apple sauce
• Treats – ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, gelatin, soft cake

Common sense goes a long way here, as the goal is to avoid foods that might result in broken brackets, loose wires, or broken appliances. For example, you should avoid: 

• Chewy foods such as bagels, fruit leathers, or beef jerky 
• Sticky foods like caramel candy, licorice, and marshmallows 

• Crunchy foods like chips, raw carrots, raw celery, and popcorn 
• Hard foods such as hard candy, hard breadsticks, or pizza crust 
• Foods that require biting into such as corn on the cob and apples. You can still enjoy these foods by slicing the apples or removing the corn from the cob. 

We often tell patients: if it sounds like eating something might damage your braces, it probably will, so avoid it. 
 
Patients also wonder, “When can I eat normal foods?” We tell patients it’s best to avoid foods that can damage braces throughout the treatment period. If you can’t say no to the craving, eat with extreme caution. 

Your step-by-step guide to brushing with braces: 

1. Before brushing, rinse your mouth with water to dislodge any food particles stuck between the wires or brackets. 
2. Begin brushing at the gum line, using a 45-degree angle of approach. 
3. As you move towards the brackets, brush from both the top and the bottom. 
4. Make sure the bristles reach under wires and around brackets. This process may take some extra time in the beginning, but it will become routine for you once you’re used to it.  
5. Be sure to follow up with thorough flossing to remove any remaining food particles or debris. 

We recommend using an electric toothbrush such as Sonicare or OralB during braces treatment. If you do not decide to use an electric toothbrush, use a toothbrush with soft bristles. 

Generally, braces do not hurt, but when you first get them, you may feel a little sore or uncomfortable immediately afterward. Soreness is normal, and it’s temporary.  

One thing that helps is a saltwater rinse: 

1. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in a full cup of lukewarm water.  
2. Swish it around your mouth for a few minutes.  
3. Repeat, if needed.  

If soreness persists, taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Advil®) or acetaminophen (Tylenol®) may help. Lastly, if you have lip, cheek, or tongue irritation in the weeks after getting braces, use your orthodontic wax to help alleviate the problem quickly. 

The duration of braces treatment can vary based on factors such as the degree of your bite issue. Typically, patients require braces for 12 to 24 months, but this can differ depending on individual cases. Your Wired Orthodontics doctor will provide you with an overview of what to expect. Then, as treatment progresses, it becomes easier to evaluate progress and provide a more precise estimate of the remaining duration of your braces treatment. 

The cost of braces treatment varies based on the type of braces you choose, how long you need treatment, and any other factors unique to your treatment plan. If cost is a concern, we offer affordable payment plans with 0% APR financing, and we’re willing to help you maximize your insurance benefits to help make treatment affordable.  

Yes. Generally, you’ll be able to return to school or work the same day. 

Yes, you can still play sports with braces. We recommend that you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your appliances. Please ask your doctor about mouthguard options. 

No matter how old you are, the answer is no. There is no age limit for braces, and our doctors provide braces for children, teens, and adults. We also offer modern adult braces that are more discreet, comfortable, and effective than what historically has been available. In fact, more adults are choosing orthodontic braces treatment than ever before. 

Your teeth may begin to feel a little loose. This is a 100% normal part of braces treatment. Your braces must first loosen your teeth to move them into the right position. Once your teeth have been repositioned, they will stabilize and no longer feel loose.