Movie stars, models and professional athletes— what do they all have in common? They have beautiful teeth! Though most people don’t always notice someone’s teeth immediately, a beautiful smile can make a better impression than many other characteristics. Yet, famous people weren’t born with great teeth. Take a look at any yearbooks belonging to Hollywood hot shots and you will see that many of these stars were once “braces faces.”

When you start thinking about needing braces, dread might hang over you like a black cloud. Whether you’re the first kid on the block with a shiny grill or the last in your class, you should realize that almost everyone has had or will need braces. For most kids, the first trip to the orthodontist is scary— even many teens and adults don’t know what to expect or what kind of metal hardware they’re going to need on their teeth. However, while there are lots of different ways to straighten your teeth, braces may be the most common.

Before you get your braces, your orthodontist may give you an expander, which helps make room for your adult teeth. The expander works by turning an oral key twice a day to create space for your teeth. By using the expander, your teeth have more room to come in, lessening the need or time for braces.

Kids generally do not get their full mouth fitted with braces until they have lost most of their baby teeth. During the period of time when people lose their baby teeth, many kids are scared get a tooth pulled. However, it is important to be brave and make sure loose teeth come out when they are ready. Baby teeth can make your adult teeth come in crooked if they stay around too long. Also, orthodontists often need to remove the baby teeth of tweens and teens in order to speed up when adult teeth appear.

When it’s time for braces, don’t worry. Today’s braces are much smaller than in past generations.

A bracket is put onto each tooth and connected with a metal wire. Your orthodontist then secures the wire to the bracket with a rubber band. The rubber bands come in all different colors, and a lot of kids choose to make their smiles as colorful as the rainbow. You may also choose gray colored bands, which make braces look less noticeable than the colored bands. Another option is ceramic braces. As the color of your teeth, ceramic braces are mostly just noticeable when someone comes close to the wearer. If you’re really worried about people seeing your braces, you can ask your orthodontist for the Invisalign clear braces, which fit over your teeth and are practically invisible.

Once your braces are on, it is crucial to take care of them. This helps ensure your teeth look beautiful when the braces come off! Proper brushing is the most important way to keep your teeth clean. Because wearing braces makes it difficult to reach all the spots on your teeth, there are special toothbrushes made to fit in between each small space.

Spending extra time brushing your teeth also allows them to stay clean. If you don’t adequately brush your teeth— and your braces— food and sugar will likely get caught around the braces, and may cause stains on your teeth or cavities. By visiting your orthodontist for every appointment, you take the necessary steps to ensure you’re taking care of your orthodontia and teeth in the right way.

An Orthodontia Q&A

Q: How can I find a good orthodontist?
A: There are lots of different types of orthodontists ready to help you get your braces. You and your parents should pick someone you feel comfortable with and who listens to your concerns about getting your teeth straightened. Most kids find the easiest way to choose a good orthodontist is to ask their friends with braces who they go to and if they like them. Your dentist may also suggest someone to see. Either way, you and your parents might want to research the potential orthodontists on the Internet.

Q: What type of food should I stay away from when I have my braces?
A: Most kids with braces find that any foods that are really sticky are hard to eat. Chewy candies, like caramel and gum, can get caught on braces and sometimes break them. Also, any candy with lots of sugar can make it hard to clean your teeth, so choose your candy wisely.

Q: How long do I have to keep my braces on?
A: The average time for braces is usually two years. How severe your case is and how much preparation you have had affect how long you actually wear braces. Some patients are not cooperative with brushing or maintaining appliances, and this may extend treatment considerably.

Q: Do I have to wear a retainer after my braces are off?
A: Yes, almost everyone should wear a retainer after they get their braces off. Just because you wear braces doesn’t mean your teeth become permanently straight. There is a tendency for the teeth to move back toward the original position. For this reason, patients must wear retainers. You can either get a permanent retainer or a removable one. Depending on how your teeth are, you might be able to use an overnight retainer to help keep your teeth in place.

With two orthodontic practices in New York, one in Manhattan and the other in Riverdale, Dr. Adam Goodman is certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. Goodman’s Manhattan practice is the largest in NYC. The treatment rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the waiting area and toothbrushing stations are unique. Goodman’s schedule is carefully created, limiting the wait time and allowing new patients to be accepted. Visit Goodman at www.goodortho.com or call (212)688-4663 to make an appointment.