Considering Braces? Here's Everything You Should Know

When most people think of braces, they often believe they are only for people who need to straighten crooked teeth. The truth is, braces also help create facial balance, improve speech, and make oral health easier to manage. 

‍Nearly half of all children have malocclusion, or a misaligned bite. For them, getting braces means so much more than having a straight set of pearly whites. Parents who are looking for the best orthodontist in Sheboygan often have many questions, like: How long will braces take to straighten teeth? How much do braces cost? What kind of braces are best for my child? 

Continue reading to get answers to these questions and more from the best orthodontists in Sheboygan.

How Braces Work and When They Are Really Necessary? 

Braces work by applying a steady, gentle force to guide teeth into better alignment. Each bracket and wire plays a small but vital role, working together to shift teeth millimeter by millimeter until they settle into a position that makes your smile symmetrical and your oral health easier to maintain. 

For many people, the change isn’t only about how their teeth look, but also how their bite feels when they eat, talk, or rest their jaw. Braces correct problems like:

• Crowded teeth
• Gaps between the teeth 
• Crooked teeth
• Overbites
• Underbites
• Open bites

All of these orthodontic issues can cause uneven wear on tooth enamel, speech difficulties, or jaw pain if left untreated. 

The experience of wearing braces varies, with some people choosing traditional metal braces for their durability, while others prefer clear ceramic brackets or lingual braces hidden behind the teeth for a more discreet look. Clear aligners are also an option for simple cases. 

How Long Will Your Child Need Braces?

Most adults and teens need braces for around 18 to 24 months, but the timeline can vary depending on how complex the case is and how consistently you or your child follows the treatment plan. Attending scheduled adjustment appointments and seeing your orthodontist in between appointments if the wires and brackets become loose or break is very important for keeping treatment on track.

The type of braces you choose, your daily oral health habits, and the orthodontist in Sheboygan you choose all play a role in how long it takes to complete treatment. Skipping rubber bands, eating foods that damage brackets, or neglecting proper cleaning can set progress back, while staying consistent can keep things on track. 

How Much Do Braces Cost?

The cost of braces can vary quite a bit because no two orthodontic treatment plans are exactly the same. Factors like the type of braces you choose, how complex your treatment is, and whether extra orthodontic appliances are needed all influence the total price. As the best orthodontists in Sheboygan, we’ll review your insurance coverage, payment options, and monthly payment plans at your first consultation to help you manage costs and avoid surprises later. 

Living With Braces: Dental Care, Diet, and Lifestyle Changes

Living with braces takes a little getting used to, especially during the first few weeks and after any adjustments. There are a few things you should know before starting treatment 

• Brushing and flossing require more time and patience because food can easily get caught in the small spaces between your teeth and braces. 
• Many people prefer to use a water flosser or special threaders to reach spots that a regular toothbrush can’t. 
• Diet changes also make a difference in how good your teeth look after treatment and how well your treatment goes. Sticky candies, crunchy chips, and hard foods can bend wires or pop off brackets, so softer options like pasta, yogurt, and cooked vegetables should become your everyday staples. 
• Additionally, sugary foods and beverages can cause plaque to build up around your brackets and create spots of decay or yellowing after your braces come off. Diligent brushing and avoiding sugary foods and drinks are important. 
• Sports and music don’t have to stop, but a mouthguard or minor adjustment in how you play a wind instrument can protect your braces and keep you comfortable. 
• With each tightening or adjustment, you may experience mild soreness, but it usually fades within a day or two. Eating soft foods and taking over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol and Ibuprofen can help. 

When is it Too Late to Get Braces?

Braces aren’t only for teenagers anymore. More adults are choosing orthodontic treatment because they want teeth that look and function better, even after years of putting it off. Age matters less than the health of your gums and the strength of the bone that supports your teeth, which means many adults are still great candidates. Sometimes treatment can take a little longer because adult bone tissue is denser and teeth move more slowly, but the results can be just as rewarding.

Finding the Best Orthodontist in Sheboygan for Teen Braces, Adult Braces, and Invisalign

A great smile takes experience, precision, and a team that’s dedicated to genuinely caring about getting it right. At Just Orthodontics, we bring more than a century of expertise to every treatment plan by combining four generations of knowledge with today’s most efficient orthodontic technology. Whether you have a teen who needs braces or are considering adult Invisalign, our team is here to make the process smooth and efficient. We know your time matters, which is why our convenient locations in Sheboygan and Manitowoc, on-time appointments, flexible scheduling, and attentive care make every visit feel effortless. 

As the best orthodontists in Sheboygan, Dr. Ethan Just and Dr. Jeff Just take the time to understand your goals and tailor each step to fit your needs. From customized digital bracket placement to Empower® braces made right here in Sheboygan, every detail is designed to make your treatment faster and more comfortable.