Orthodontic Braces in Greater New Orleans plus Carriere and Gulfport, MS

Let common sense be your guide to help prevent damage to the brackets or prevent food particles from becoming trapped between brackets and wires. If it seems like a bad idea to eat it while in your braces, you probably shouldn’t eat it. In general, that means avoiding:

• Chewy foods such as fruit leathers, beef jerky, or bagels
• Highly crunchy foods like raw carrots, chips, raw celery, and popcorn
• Sticky foods like caramel candy, licorice, and marshmallows
• Very hard foods like hard candy, hard breadsticks, or pizza crust
• Any food you have to bite into such as apples or corn on the cob — though you can still enjoy these foods by slicing into smaller bites or removing the corn from the cob.

It may feel like you’ll be avoiding some of your favorite foods for a long time while you’re in treatment, but we promise 1) it’s the best way to avoid the inconvenience of an extra trip to our office, and 2) it will all be worth it every time you see that new, more confident smile of yours!

It takes some adjustment, but brushing with braces is easy to pick up quickly. Plan on taking a little longer than you’re used to at first but keep at it. You’ll be a pro in no time!

1. Before brushing, rinse with water to dislodge food particles.
2. Start brushing at the gum line, and hold your brush at a 45-degree angle. Brush both the top and the bottom, making sure the you scrub your gums and under the wires/around the brackets.
3. Follow up with thorough flossing. You will need to use a precise and careful flossing technique to make sure you do not dislodge or loosen the brackets or wires. It takes a little practice, but we’ll get you started on the right foot when you start treatment.

Painful, no, not usually. A little challenging to get used to at first, yes. A little soreness is normal, but it will not last long because over time, your body will get used to braces.

To help, try a saltwater rinse by dissolving 1 teaspoon of salt in a full cup of lukewarm water, and then swish that for a few minutes. If soreness persists, try an over-the-counter pain reliever (ibuprofen or acetaminophen). If you experience lip, cheek, or tongue irritation in the weeks after getting braces, the orthodontic wax we’ll supply you with can quickly help.

Yes, many insurance plans do cover braces, and we’re committed to making orthodontic treatment accessible for every patient and family. We accept most insurance plans and work closely with you to maximize your benefits, ensuring you get the most out of your coverage. We also offer affordable payment plans designed to fit any budget, so you can achieve the smile you’ve always wanted without breaking the bank.

The amount of time that you will need to wear braces varies, depending on several things, such as the severity of your bite problem. Most patients need to wear braces for 12 to 24 months, but this can be shorter or longer depending on your case. We’ll discuss this with you and give you a general idea of what you can expect — and we’ll tell you about our no-additional-cost remote care option that may actually shorten your treatment time!

After several months of wearing braces, we can measure progress more easily and more accurately update you regarding how much longer you can expect to wear braces.

Ceramic braces can be a great alternative to metal braces when you want a bit more discreet treatment approach. Similar to traditional metal braces in how they work, ceramic braces are just as effective as metal braces. The main difference is that instead of metal alloys, ceramic brackets are made of a white or clear ceramic material that better blends with your smile. We also offer Invisalign® treatment, which has additional benefits beyond a more discreet treatment approach.

We get that cost is an important factor when deciding which smile treatment journey you’ll choose, so while we’d love to give you an exact answer about how much braces cost. The truth is that it varies because we customize every treatment plan to the unique needs of each patient. So let’s talk about your options, and know that we’re committed to making treatment affordable for all, we accept most insurance plans, and we offer flexible financing for any budget!