Orthodontic care is about more than just straight teeth — it’s about achieving a healthier, more confident smile that lasts a lifetime. At Embrace Family Smiles, our orthodontist team is here to guide patients of all ages through every step of their smile transformation. Whether you’re considering braces for your child or exploring clear aligner options for yourself, it’s natural to have questions.

Orthodontists are dental specialists who diagnose and treat problems with the position, alignment or spacing of the teeth, and related irregularities in the face and the jaw. We use a number of special treatments, including braces and other oral appliances, to correct these problems.

There are two good reasons: aesthetics and function. Having an attractive smile not only changes the way people see you — it enhances your own self-image as well. Orthodontic treatment also allows your teeth to function better and makes it easier to keep them clean, which can improve your overall health.

You’re never too old to visit an orthodontist for the first time — but if you start at an earlier age, your problems may be easier to treat. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child who may need orthodontic treatment should come in for a first visit around age 7.

Teeth that are protruding, crowded together, or erupting out of position are clear indications that treatment is needed. Less obvious signs include mouth breathing, frequent biting of the cheek or palate, speech difficulties, and thumb sucking that persists beyond 3–4 years of age. If teeth don’t meet properly when the mouth closes, or if jaws make sounds or shift as they move, this may also indicate an orthodontic problem.

Having braces put on is typically a painless process. Some people experience minor aches and pains in the first couple of days as they adjust to wearing their appliances. Periodic adjustments may also cause soreness, although it typically lasts only a short time. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to alleviate any discomfort, but are usually unnecessary. Please visit our Kids Club for more information.

It’s different for each person, but the active stage of treatment (that is, wearing braces or other appliances) usually takes between 6 and 30 months. After that, a retainer is worn for at least several months more.

It depends on what’s being done and how often you need to be monitored. During active treatment, you’ll typically come in to our office once every 4 to 10 weeks.

If your teeth are severely crowded (because your mouth is too small to accommodate all of them properly) — or if you have impacted teeth (teeth that are trapped beneath the gum line by other teeth) — then extraction may be necessary. In the case of younger patients, early treatment may make extraction unnecessary.

Yes — you should pass up the types of foods that could damage or become trapped in your braces. Some of these include raw vegetables, hard candy, caramel, taffy, and ice cubes (fortunately, ice cream is OK). We will give you a list of foods to avoid.

In a word: Yes. Of course, whether you wear braces or not, we recommend you wear a mouthguard when playing most sports. Musicians are generally able to play their instruments just as they did before, but they may need a short adjustment period after getting braces.

You do — in fact, it’s more important than ever! Keeping teeth free of plaque (and potentially, decay) can be challenging when you’re wearing braces. Your dentist can help you avoid these problems with frequent cleanings and exams.

Almost always, the answer is yes: If you don’t wear a retainer, your teeth can rapidly shift out of position — and then all the effort put into your treatment is lost! Your retainer helps you maintain that good-looking smile for a lifetime.

Orthodontic care is a long-term investment in your health and well-being. Yet, its cost hasn’t increased as fast as many other consumer prices, and numerous financing options are available that make orthodontic care more affordable. Weighed against the actual cost of living with problem teeth, however, orthodontic treatment can be a wise investment indeed.