The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends an orthodontic screening for children by age 7. Why so young? By this age the teeth and jaws are developed enough for the orthodontist to see whether there are any serious bite problems, but the child still has lots of growing left to do. Most of the time treatment is not necessary at this age, but early identification of a growth related problem gives the doctor time to monitor the patient's development and intervene if necessary. We can plan ahead and prevent serious problems from developing.

Retainer: An appliance that is worn after your braces are removed. The retainer attaches to your upper or lower teeth to hold them in place. Some retainers are removable and others are bonded to the tongue-side of several teeth.

What Can I Eat With Braces On? The good news is that you can eat most foods with your braces on. But, youll need to use common sense and be careful! Foods to Avoid Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips Sticky foods: caramels, gum Hard foods: nuts, candy Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots Chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer. Sugary or starchy foods: Be sure to brush well after any treats!

How Will My Teeth Feel? General Soreness: When you get your braces on, you may feel soreness in your mouth and teeth may be tender to biting pressure for three to five days. Usually Advil or Tylenol is helpful. The lips, cheeks and tongue may also become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen up and become accustomed to the surface of the braces. You can put wax on the braces to help. We'll show you how!

Loosening of Teeth: This is to be expected throughout treatment. Don't worry! It's normal. Teeth must loosen first so they can be moved. The teeth will again become rigidly fixed in their new-corrected-positions.

What Else Do I Need To Do? Care of Appliances: To successfully complete the treatment plan, the patient must work together with the orthodontist. The teeth and jaws can only move toward their corrected positions if the patient consistently wears the rubber bands, headgear or other appliances as prescribed. Damaged appliances lengthen the treatment time.

Brushing: It's more important than ever to brush and floss regularly when you have braces, so the teeth and gums are healthy after orthodontic treatment. Make sure to visit your general dentist for regular cleanings and check-ups. Adults who have a history of gum disease should also see a periodontist during orthodontic treatment.