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Braces restore tooth alignment and proper occlusion, making chewing easier, protecting the gums and bringing harmony back to the smile. Before getting started, it is useful to weigh the benefits and constraints, learn about the different types of appliances, their cost and treatment duration, and above all understand how to maintain impeccable oral hygiene throughout this period. Here is a complete guide to understanding the advantages and disadvantages of braces and adopting the right daily habits.
key points to remember
- Braces align the teeth at any age, improve chewing and gum health, but require an adjustment period and more rigorous hygiene.
- There are several types of braces and appliances: metal braces, ceramic braces, clear aligners, lingual braces and removable appliances, each with its own strengths and limitations.
- The price varies widely depending on the technique, from a few hundred euros for a simple removable appliance to more than €10,000 for a complete lingual treatment.
- For adults, orthodontic treatment is generally not covered by the French national health insurance system, except in certain cases involving jaw surgery.
- The real challenge is hygiene: plaque and tartar build up around the brackets and under the wire, making thorough brushing, flossing and using a water flosser essential.
Orthodontics
This is a technique that involves aligning the teeth and optimizing their occlusion, meaning the way they overlap, to correct or prevent disorders or abnormalities. Dental cavities, improper tongue positioning, and swallowing problems can result from incorrect positioning of the teeth or jaws. A disorder that is not corrected during childhood can affect health for years, eventually causing teeth to loosen or painful craniomandibular dysfunction. It is therefore not solely a matter of aesthetics, even though this aspect is very important in orthodontic treatment to restore facial harmony. Using removable or fixed appliances, the specialist applies slight continuous pressure and traction to the teeth over an extended period, allowing them to move until the desired correction is achieved.
What is a dental appliance?
A dental appliance can straighten teeth at any age. Contrary to popular belief, many adults undergo orthodontic treatment. That is why more and more solutions have become available over the years, from classic metal brackets to nearly invisible clear aligners. The choice depends on the complexity of the case, age, lifestyle, and budget.
The different types of dental appliances
Not all appliances are the same: some are fixed and bonded to the teeth, while others are removable and taken out for eating or brushing. Here are the main types to compare discretion, comfort, and maintenance requirements.
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Metal brackets
The most common and often the most affordable fixed solution. Highly effective even for complex cases, but visible and demanding in terms of hygiene: plaque can easily build up around the brackets.
Ceramic braces
The same principle as metal braces, but with tooth-colored brackets, making them more discreet. The elastics may become discolored when exposed to pigmented foods and drinks.
Clear aligners
Clear, removable aligners that are taken out for eating and brushing. Very discreet, but they must be worn for at least 22 hours a day to be effective.
Lingual braces
The braces are bonded to the inner surface of the teeth, so they are invisible from the outside. This is the most discreet technique, but also the most expensive, and getting used to them can sometimes take a long time.
Removable appliances
Often used for children or minor corrections. They can be easily removed for cleaning, but are less durable than fixed appliances and require regular maintenance.
Quick comparison of types of dental appliances
For a quick overview, here is how the main types of appliances compare on the criteria that matter most day to day: discretion, price, removability, and ease of maintenance.
| Type of appliance | Discretion | Indicative price | Removable | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metal brackets | Low | Most affordable | No | Demanding around the brackets |
| Ceramic brackets | Average | Slightly higher | No | Demanding, elastics must be monitored |
| Clear aligners | Very high | High | Yes, 22 hours a day | Simple, remove to brush |
| Lingual braces | Complete | Most expensive | No | Difficult, with areas that are hard to access |
| Removable appliances | Variable | Low to moderate | Yes | Simple, brushing separately |
At what age can you wear braces?
Contrary to a persistent misconception, orthodontics is not only for adolescents. Teeth can be moved at any age, as long as the gums and supporting bone remain healthy. However, the right time and type of appliance vary according to age.
For children
An initial assessment is recommended around ages 6 to 8, when the first permanent teeth appear. Removable appliances or interceptive orthodontics are often used at this stage to guide jaw growth even before the growth spurt is complete.
For adolescents
This is the most common time to fit braces: all the permanent teeth are in place, and growth facilitates tooth movement. For children and adolescents under 16, orthodontic treatment is partially covered by the French national health insurance system.
For adults
More and more adults are undergoing treatment, often with discreet solutions such as aligners or lingual braces. Treatment remains effective, but hygiene must be impeccable to protect gums that may be more fragile. The specific considerations are detailed in our article on braces for adults.
How does getting braces work?
Even before the braces are fitted, the orthodontist establishes an accurate diagnosis and develops a treatment plan tailored to each mouth. Understanding the main stages helps you envision the process and stay motivated throughout the treatment.
Assessment and diagnosis
The practitioner examines the teeth and jaws, takes X-rays and sometimes photographs to identify the misalignments to be corrected, then recommends the type of appliance best suited to the case.
Impressions or scan
Traditional impressions or a digital scan are used to custom-make the brackets, aligners or removable appliance that will be fitted.
Fitting the braces
The brackets are bonded to the teeth and then connected with the archwire, or the first aligners are provided to the patient. The appointment is painless, although some discomfort may occur in the hours that follow.
Regular adjustments
Every four to eight weeks, the orthodontist tightens the archwire or provides a new set of aligners to continue gradually moving the teeth.
Braces removal and retention
Once the teeth are aligned, the braces are removed and replaced with a retainer, either a bonded wire or a night-time aligner, which stabilizes the result and prevents the teeth from shifting again.
The benefits of braces
1. Better long-term oral and dental hygiene
By realigning the teeth, braces ultimately improve gum and dental health. Properly positioned teeth make brushing your teeth, cleaning, and flossing easier, as there are no longer overlaps where bacteria can hide. In the long term, proper alignment helps prevent periodontal diseases and dental cavities.
2. Better digestion
It is difficult to chew properly when teeth are misaligned, and the stomach then takes longer to digest food. By correcting the bite, braces enable more efficient chewing, which improves and facilitates digestion.
3. Prevention of tooth erosion
Misaligned teeth can lead to premature wear and bone loss when bacteria attack the supporting tissues. By restoring proper contact between the teeth, braces help limit erosion and preserve the bone.
4. A boost in self-confidence
Beyond health benefits, braces help boost self-confidence. Crooked teeth can make smiling uncomfortable. By moving the teeth into a better position, treatment also makes the jaws and lips more proportionate to the face.
The drawbacks of braces
1. Temporary pain and discomfort
These sensations vary in intensity depending on each person's sensitivity: mild irritation, a feeling that there is not enough room for the tongue, increased salivation, more sensitive teeth, and difficulty eating or articulating. The dentist may recommend certain solutions, such as taking painkillers or, if speech remains affected, consulting a speech therapist.
2. Limitations specific to each type of appliance
- Clear ceramic braces: the elastics surrounding the brackets and holding the wire in place are highly likely to turn yellow when exposed to food coloring. It is therefore important to brush your teeth after every snack.
- Lingual orthodontic treatment: choose foods that are easy to chew to avoid hurting yourself, such as mashed potatoes or soup, especially at first.
- Clear aligners: they can be removed for eating or brushing your teeth, but must be worn for at least 22 hours a day. Some patients remove them far too often, which prolongs treatment.
- Removable appliances: they are less durable than braces and require regular cleaning to prevent them from becoming a breeding ground for bacteria.
3. Treatment duration varies
The duration depends on the problem being corrected. For a minor correction, treatment may last 6 months, but it generally extends over at least 2 years, and the adjustment period can sometimes be lengthy. The tongue may become irritated through continuous contact with the appliance, and speech and eating may be affected at first.
4. A necessary adjustment period
At first, it takes time to get used to wearing a dental appliance. Some soreness may occur during the first few days; it is quickly relieved by taking painkillers and fades once you become accustomed to the appliance.
How much does a dental appliance cost? Prices by type
The price of a dental appliance depends mainly on the technique chosen, the complexity of the case and the duration of treatment. The price ranges below are indicative for a complete treatment in adults; only a quote prepared by the orthodontist is authoritative.
- Metal braces: often the most affordable option, generally costing a few thousand euros for a complete treatment, billed by six-month periods.
- Ceramic braces: slightly more expensive than metal braces because they are less noticeable.
- Clear aligners: a comparable price, or even higher, than ceramic braces, depending on the number of aligners required.
- Lingual appliance: the most expensive technique, which can cost more than €10,000 because fitting it is more complex.
- Simple removable appliance: a few hundred euros for minor corrections or interceptive treatment in children.
Additional costs must be added to this budget: the initial consultation, X-rays, monthly check-up appointments and a retainer to be worn at the end of treatment to prevent the teeth from shifting again.
Issues related to reimbursement for a dental appliance
Even when covered by the French national health insurance system, adults are not entitled to any reimbursement for dental appliances as part of orthodontic treatment. The only exception concerns jaw surgery that requires an orthodontic appliance to be fitted afterward. Coverage is then subject to prior approval from the national health insurance system, with the surgeon submitting the request to the local health insurance fund (CPAM). For children under 16, however, orthodontic treatment is partly covered, and some supplementary health insurance plans cover the remaining out-of-pocket costs: it is therefore advisable to check your policy before starting treatment.
Oral hygiene with braces
This is the most important point throughout the treatment. Brackets, archwire, attachments and retainer wire create numerous areas where plaque accumulates. If not removed properly, this plaque hardens into tartar around the brackets, encourages cavities, gum inflammation and small white spots caused by enamel demineralization, which become visible once the braces are removed. Thorough brushing, complemented by dental floss and a water flosser, is therefore essential to complete the treatment with healthy teeth.
The right habit: brush your teeth after every meal, not just in the morning and evening, because food debris trapped around the brackets attacks the enamel all day long. Daily use of dental floss or an interdental brush under the archwire complements brushing where the toothbrush cannot reach.
How to brush your teeth with braces
Brushing takes a little longer with braces, but a few well-ordered steps are enough to keep your mouth healthy. Here is a simple routine to follow after every meal.
Rinse your mouth
Start by rinsing with water to dislodge larger food particles stuck between the brackets and the wire.
Brush around the brackets
Brush along the gumline, then above and below each bracket, paying particular attention to the attachments where plaque accumulates. Soft bristles clean without irritating the gums or loosening the attachments.
Clean between the teeth
Slide dental floss or an interdental brush under the archwire to remove plaque where the toothbrush cannot reach. A floss pick makes it easier to clean around the wires.
Complete with a water flosser
Finish with a water flosser, which is particularly useful for rinsing hard-to-reach areas around the brackets and under the retainer wire.
Finish with mouthwash
A fluoride mouthwash helps strengthen enamel and reduce the risk of demineralization during treatment.
To save time without neglecting the areas around the brackets, a Y-shaped sonic toothbrush conforms to the shape of the jaws and brushes all the teeth at once thanks to its soft, fine bristles, which reach underneath the wire, the retainer wire and the brackets. Complete brushing takes just ten seconds per jaw, a real advantage when you need to brush your teeth after every meal.
Tips for relieving pain from braces
Take a painkiller such as paracetamol
Paracetamol is generally effective against pain associated with wearing braces. It relieves pain without reducing inflammation. For an adult, the usual dosage is 1 g per dose, up to 1 to 3 times a day; your dentist is the best person to advise you.
Use mouthwash
Alongside painkillers, mouthwashes can help soothe pain. Some contain mildly anesthetic substances that relieve toothache.
Apply cold to the mouth
Paracetamol is not always enough; cold can help reduce the pain associated with wearing braces. Here are some techniques you can use:
- Use an ice pack or a frozen product: apply it to the jaw to soothe inflammation-related pain.
- Drink something cold: ice water or fruit juice can soothe the gums and teeth if you are not too sensitive.
- Eat cold foods: cold soups, fruit salads, and ice cream can also numb sensitivity.
Choose soft foods
It is especially advisable to choose soft foods at the beginning of orthodontic treatment. Chewing firmer foods puts pressure on sore teeth, while spicy and acidic foods irritate the gums and increase sensitivity. Pain is most noticeable at the beginning of treatment, and these tips can help you get through this stage.
What should you eat and avoid with braces?
With fixed braces, certain foods can loosen a bracket, bend the archwire, or become stuck around the brackets. Adjusting your diet, especially in the days following each adjustment, helps limit problems and pain.
Foods to choose
Soft, easy-to-chew foods: soups, mashed foods, well-cooked pasta, fish, eggs, ripe fruit or compotes, and dairy products. They are gentler on teeth that may be sensitive after an adjustment.
Foods to avoid
Hard and sticky foods: caramels, chewing gum, nuts, bread crusts, and biting into whole apples. They may loosen the brackets or bend the archwire.
Good habits
Cut food into small pieces, chew with your molars rather than your incisors, and rinse your mouth after eating something sugary or acidic to protect the enamel around the brackets.
Easy care for your dental appliance
Cleaning a removable appliance is simple: brush it like a denture, using a moistened soft-bristled brush and covering all its surfaces, then rinse it with water after every meal. Specialized denture cleaners can be used to soak it, but soaking does not replace brushing, which is essential for removing plaque.
With fixed braces, everything comes down to brushing the teeth themselves. A Y-Brush sonic toothbrush, equipped with soft, fine bristles, enables thorough brushing even under the braces wire, the retention wire, or around the brackets, without risking damage to the attachments.
When should you see an orthodontist?
It is better to consult too early than too late: misalignment identified quickly can often be corrected more easily. Make an appointment with an orthodontist or your dentist if you notice any of these signs.
- Crowded teeth or visibly insufficient space around one or more teeth.
- Misaligned jaws: a chin that protrudes or recedes, or upper teeth that cover the lower teeth too much.
- Difficulty chewing or speaking, or breathing mainly through the mouth.
- Receding gums or loose teeth in adults, often related to gum health.
- During treatment: a detached bracket, a wire that causes irritation, or pain that does not go away despite taking painkillers.
Retention: stabilizing the result after braces
Having your braces removed does not quite mark the end of treatment. Without retention, teeth tend to slowly move back toward their original position: that is the purpose of retention, a step that should never be overlooked.
Retention most often takes two forms: a thin wire bonded behind the teeth, invisible and kept in place for several years, or a nighttime retainer worn while sleeping. The orthodontist will indicate how long it should be worn, sometimes for a very long time, because the first few months and years carry the greatest risk of relapse.
In terms of hygiene, a bonded retainer behaves like braces: it traps plaque and requires careful brushing supplemented by flossing. Here again, a soft, fine-bristled toothbrush that passes under the wire helps keep teeth healthy without detaching the device.
