Thinking about braces but not sure what to expect? These are the questions we hear every week at The Esthetic Zone, answered plainly so you can decide with confidence.
1. Do braces hurt?
Fitting braces is not painful. Most people feel pressure and tenderness for three to five days after fitting and for a day or two after each adjustment. Soft food and a mild pain reliever, if your dentist agrees, are usually enough.
2. How long will I wear them?
Most treatments take between 12 and 24 months. Mild crowding can be quicker, while bite correction takes longer. You will get a personal estimate after your records and X-rays.
3. Am I too old for braces?
No. Teeth can be moved at any age as long as the gums and bone are healthy. Many of our patients start in their thirties, forties and beyond.
4. What is the best age for a child?
A first orthodontic check around age seven lets us spot jaw and spacing problems early. Most children begin full treatment between ten and fourteen.
5. How often do I need to visit?
Usually every four to eight weeks for adjustments and progress checks.
6. What can I not eat?
Avoid hard, sticky and chewy food: ice, hard sweets, sugarcane, bones, popcorn and chewing gum. Cut apples, carrots and maize off the cob instead of biting into them.
7. How do I keep my teeth clean?
Brush after every meal with a soft brush, use interdental brushes around the brackets and rinse with fluoride mouthwash. Professional cleaning during treatment keeps gums healthy.
8. Can I play sports or an instrument?
Yes. Wear a mouthguard for contact sports. Wind instruments take a short period of getting used to.
9. Metal or ceramic?
Metal braces are strong and efficient. Ceramic braces work the same way with tooth-coloured brackets that are less visible. Your dentist will advise which suits your case.
10. Will I need teeth removed?
Sometimes, when there is severe crowding. Many cases are treated without extractions. This is decided only after a full assessment.
11. What happens if a bracket breaks?
It is not an emergency, but call us. Cover any sharp wire with orthodontic wax and we will arrange a repair visit.
12. What happens after the braces come off?
You wear retainers to hold the result. Teeth naturally try to move back, so retainers are part of every treatment.
Start with an assessment
An orthodontic assessment includes an examination, photographs and the X-rays needed to plan your treatment properly.
The Esthetic Zone is on the 4th Floor, R-Square Building, Masaki, opposite IST School. Call +255 760 393 333 or message us on WhatsApp to book an orthodontic assessment.
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