Have you just gotten braces, and you’re wondering what to expect? Are you afraid that your braces will interfere with your social life? Or that your braces will prevent you from eating your favorite foods? Or that they’ll hurt?

Fear not. The technology behind braces has come a long way since your parents’ days. These days, braces can work stronger and faster, so they might spend less time in your mouth. Braces come in a variety of colors, so they might be all but invisible. You might even be able to get braces that go behind your teeth – keeping them completely out of sight.

How do I know if I need braces?

If you see your dentist regularly, he or she might notice something a little different about the way your jaw is aligned. Your lower jaw might stick out slightly farther than your upper jaw – in which case you have an underbite. Or your upper jaw might stick out. – meaning you have an overbite. Or your teeth might be crooked. Dentists and orthodontists call these things malocclusions – irregularities in the way your teeth are aligned. When you’ve got a malocclusion, or your dentist or orthodontist thinks you might be headed toward one in the future, it’s a good bet you’ll need braces.

How will braces fix my teeth?

Braces correct misaligned teeth by applying constant pressure to your teeth for a long period of time. Most braces are a combination of metal wires and rubber bands, which essentially push your teeth into the proper shape. Some people need to wear head or neck gear in addition to their braces, but don’t worry – usually, these only need to be worn at night.

What will having braces be like?

Braces are relatively low-maintenance, but they do require some work to maintain. You shouldn’t have to give up your favorite foods, but you will have to keep an eye on your braces when you eat certain foods that can get stuck in your them, like popcorn and corn on the cob. You’ll need to be more conscientious about brushing after every meal as well. And if you chew lots of gum, you’ll need to think about kicking the habit. Gum is murder on braces.

You’ll occasionally need to visit your orthodontist to have your braces tightened. This can sometimes be painful, but the pain rarely lasts long, and over-the-counter painkillers can usually eliminate it.

After your braces are removed, your orthodontist will probably want you to wear a retainer for a while. A retainer is a hard piece of plastic and metal that fits into your mouth, and continues the work your braces started. When your braces are removed, the gums and bone that surround your teeth are still a bit unstable; the retainer makes sure all the work your braces did doesn’t go to waste.

Dr. Mark Weglos and the staff at Comprehensive Family Dentistry provide quality braces and orthodontics to customers in Newtown, Langhorne, Philadelphia and much of Bucks County. Give us a call to set up an appointment.