Traditional Or Lingual: Which Braces Are Best For You?

Dentist Blog

If you need to have braces put on your teeth then you may be thinking about what type of braces you want. If you have narrowed it down to regular braces that are put on the fronts of your teeth or with lingual teeth that are put on the backs of your teeth, then you should learn more about what they each offer, as well as what some of the negatives are.

Some facts about regular braces

Regular braces that are put on the fronts of your teeth are the more obvious ones. However, there are now some different options that you can go with that can make the braces less obvious. You can choose to go with clear bands and wiring, as well as porcelain colored or clear brackets. This helps the braces blend into the color of your teeth much better.

When braces are on the fronts of your teeth, they will rub on certain parts of the insides of your lips, the insides of your cheeks and areas on your tongue. This can cause you to develop irritated areas and even get small cuts in the inside of your mouth that can irritate you, especially if you do something like eat spicy foods. However, orthodontic wax can help with this. You take a very small amount of the wax and roll it into a workable ball, then gently push it on the area of the braces that's touching parts of your mouth and causing the problem.

Some facts about lingual braces

Lingual braces don't get put on the front surfaces of your teeth, but instead are put on the backsides of them. While this helps to make them much less noticeable, it can also make them more irritating. It means that your tongue will be in constant contact with them which can lead to a lot of sores and small cuts on your tongue if you aren't very careful. You can also use the orthodontic wax to protect your tongue, but you will find you use much more of it than you do when wearing traditional braces.

Lingual braces don't really need for you to choose certain colors, such as clear or white, since they are hidden anyway. However, they will be harder for you to get food out of since you will have to work the food particles out from the back of your teeth. A water pick is a must with these braces because you will need to count on it to blast the plaque and food out with some force.

Contact a dentist, like Snyder, Donald DDS, for more help.


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