Back then, it used to be that if you had dental braces, you were “weird”. It used to be that if you had dental braces, you were “rich”. But those days are gone. These days, almost everyone's rocking some dental braces, guy or girl, old or young. If you were thinking about getting them for yourself, consider these 5 things first:
1. Are dental braces for everyone?
Technically, yes. No one can legally stop you from getting dental braces even if you have perfect teeth, but do you actually need it? People who have uneven teeth, buck teeth or asymmetry teeth will benefit the most. The doctor will also usually take an X-ray to check if your teeth and gums are suitable for braces.
If your teeth are still acceptable to you, then you probably don't need braces. Even though there are more and more people who are getting braces for the sake of getting sharper facial features, so that could be your thing.
2. How much do braces cost?
If you're under 18 years of age, consider going to government dental clinics to queue for a slot. Getting your braces done there will be extremely budget friendly! If you're more well off, then you could consider private dental clinics.
Choosing between metal braces and plastic braces also make a difference. Both have different prices ranging from RM4000 to RM8000. Of course, there is always an option for installments. How much and how long you can split the payments for is highly dependant on the dental clinic.
3. How long does it take?
Unfortunately, this differ greatly from individual to individual. Some people have their braces off inless than 2 years while others have them for 5 years! It depends on the severity of your issue and the type of braces you're going for. Metal braces are more effective, especially for complex problems, while clear braces take slightly longer to work.
4. Speaking of, metal or plastic?
This is another endless debate and it really comes down on what you prefer. Back then, we didn't have a choice, but as technology gets better and better, plastic braces are bringing the fight to traditional metal braces. Here are their pros and cons:
Metal braces pros: more effective for complex problems, can eat meals directly.
Metal braces cons: require frequent follow ups to fine tune the braces, can cause oral blisters.
Plastic braces pros: aesthetically pleasing, can be worn with more confidence
Plastic braces cons: must take off for every meal, teeth must be cleaned before putting it back on
5. Will it be hard to maintain?
Again, unfortunately, yes. Having braces means you need to put way more extra care on oral hygiene. It is almost a must to floss! This is because having braces means that there are more spaces for food to get stuck in and for bacteria and germs to grow! If you don't keep a clean mouth, you will still get your nicely arranged teeth, sure, but it'll be full of decaying teeth!
At the end of the day, it is still entirely your choice on whether to have braces or not and what kind to go for. The best thing you can do is to consult a dentist before making any decision!
*Credits to InfinityC for the info.
*Original article
