No, braces will not damage your teeth and gums if you care for them properly and stay on schedule with your appointments. Lack of proper brushing and extended treatment can damage the teeth.

A 17. Yes and no. No, if you follow Dr. Rothstein’s instructions for the care and maintenance of the braces, keep your appointments and brush your teeth regularly. Every time you come to the office to have your braces adjusted the very first step that Dr. Rothstein takes is to look for any possible harm the braces are doing to your teeth or any discomfort you may be experiencing, and then he corrects the cause of that harm. See similar questions...

Braces use very gentle pressure to move your teeth into position so, as long as you avoid tooth decay by keeping your brace and your teeth clean, it won't do any damage. See orthodontics. See similar questions...

According to a recent ArchWired.com poll, most people begin see changes in their teeth in the first 2 to 6 weeks of treatment. See similar questions...

Braces use steady, gentle pressure over time to move teeth into their proper positions. They don't look like they're doing much just sitting there. but in fact, every moment or your orthodontic treatment, there's something happening in your mouth. Something good for you. The brackets we place on your teeth and the main archwire that connects them, are the two main components.The bracket is a piece of specially shaped metal or ceramic that we affix to each tooth. See similar questions...

First, rinse with warm water a couple of times to dislodge any food particles. You can also use a rubber-tipped gum massager to dislodge any particularly stubborn particles that are badly stuck in your brackets. Now you can use a small amount of toothpaste and brush your teeth. It is best to use circular, vibrating motions around the gum line. Angle your toothbrush above and below the brackets. Scrub each surface of every tooth with 10 strokes of the toothbrush. See similar questions...

It's a little tricky at first. You must thread the floss under the arch wire between each tooth, floss under the gumline, then remove it. Repeat for each tooth. At first it will take about 15 minutes to floss all of your teeth, but with practice you will get faster and more efficient at doing it. It is important to floss EVERY NIGHT. Even if you use a Waterpik device, you should still floss. See similar questions...

Soft tissue grafts and other root coverage procedures are designed to conceal exposed roots, reduce further gum recession, and protect your vulnerable roots from decay. During this procedure, your periodontist takes gum tissue from your palate or another donor source to cover the exposed root. This can be done for one tooth or several teeth to even your gum line and reduce sensitivity. See similar questions...

A 11. Braces consist of brackets (mini-handles) bonded (glued) on to most of the 12 or 14 teeth in each jaw. A thin highly flexible wire is fastened to each bracket on each tooth. Suppose a tooth is incorrectly positioned; let us assume it is a tooth that is depressed inwardly and we want to bring it more forward. When we fasten (attach) the wire to all the teeth with brackets the wire flexes in to attach to the depressed tooth. See similar questions...

Bleeding gums is never a good sign! However, the condition may or may not require professional attention, depending on the source of the problem. Bleeding gums can be caused by improper, rough, ‘scrubbing’ instead of gentle, circular brushing motions; using a hard-bristled tooth brush instead of a soft one; plaque and/or tartar build-up below the gum line; or gum sensitivity due to gingivitis or periodontal disease. See similar questions...

Good oral hygiene is especially important during pregnancy because some dental disorders can be exaggerated during pregnancy. The hormonal changes during pregnancy can exacerbate the way the gingival tissues (gums) react to dental plaque--the cause of periodontal disease. It is the plaque and not the hormonal changes that can cause periodontal disease. Prevention is even more important during pregnancy to prevent these problems from occuring. See similar questions...

The brace will not mark the teeth. If dental plaque is allowed to become thick around the brace the plaque itself may damage the teeth. Instruction will be given on the use of special brushes. A daily fluoride mouth rinse can be used to harden areas that are very difficult to clean. Care must be taken to choose an alcohol-free, pH-balanced rinse. Certain foods and drinks may also lead to damage. You should avoid drinking lots of fizzy drinks and keep in-between-meal snacks to a minimum. See similar questions...

Yes. When teeth are missing, adjacent teeth will drift into the empty space. This will cause a functional, esthetic or periodontal problem. Orthodontic treatment will correct and prevent these problems from happening and will also provide proper alignment for your dentist to replace the missing teeth. [Back to top] See similar questions...

Getting braces put on your teeth does not hurt, and does not require Novocain injections or anything painful. For a full description of the process, read Braces Basics: When the Braces Go On. See similar questions...

Some patients simply cannot stand the color of their teeth and need to have the procedure done before the braces are bonded on. We are willing to do the whitening before the braces are put on and repeat the procedure at a reduced fee when the braces are removed. Yes, the fee can be paid in two payments if the procedure is being performed in two sessions (top first then bottom). If you are having top and bottom whitened at the same visit the fee must be paid all at once. See similar questions...

You can help maintain your oral health by keeping your blood glucose as close to normal as possible, brushing your teeth at least twice a day, and flossing once a day. Keep any dentures clean. Get a dental cleaning and exam twice a year, and tell your dentist that you have diabetes. Call your dentist with any problems, such as gums that are red, sore, bleeding, or pulling away from the teeth; any possible tooth infection; or soreness from dentures. See similar questions...

Yes. With routine dental and preventive care, combined with excellent oral hygiene, your teeth could last your entire life. Remember to schedule and keep your cleaning appointments and floss every day. That will put you in the low risk group for gum disease, the number one reason for tooth loss. See similar questions...