Ask around about braces and you’ll hear plenty of confident opinions. A cousin swears they’re unbearable. A coworker heard aligners only work for tiny fixes. Someone at school is sure their braces will set off airport security.
Some of these ideas were true decades ago. Others were never true at all. At Jarosz & Valente Orthodontics, we hear them all the time from families in Arlington Heights and Deerfield, so here’s a clear look at the most common myths and what’s really going on.
Myth: Braces Are Really Painful
Braces aren’t painful in the way most people imagine. Getting them put on doesn’t involve needles or drilling. The brackets are bonded to the surface of the teeth, and the process is mostly about holding still.
What people do feel is soreness. For a few days after braces go on, and sometimes after an adjustment, teeth can ache when you bite down. Soft foods, cold drinks, and over-the-counter pain relievers usually take care of it. The inside of the lips and cheeks also needs a little time to get used to the brackets, and orthodontic wax helps in the meantime. Most patients say the first week is the hardest, and then they barely notice.
Myth: Clear Aligners Only Work for Minor Problems
This one has changed a lot over the years. Clear aligners like ClearCorrect can treat a wide range of cases, including many involving crowding, spacing, and bite concerns, not just small cosmetic tweaks.
That said, aligners aren’t the best fit for every case, and neither are braces. Certain tooth movements are more predictable with one or the other. The right choice depends on your specific teeth and bite, which is exactly what an orthodontic evaluation is for.
Myth: You Can Wear Aligners Whenever It’s Convenient
Aligners are removable, which is one of their biggest advantages. But they only move teeth while they’re in your mouth.
ClearCorrect aligners are designed to be worn around 22 hours a day. They come out for eating, drinking anything other than water, and brushing, then go right back in. Leaving them out for long stretches slows progress and can mean the next set doesn’t fit properly. Patients who are consistent tend to finish on schedule.
Myth: Braces Will Set Off Metal Detectors
They won’t. The metal in orthodontic brackets and wires is far too small to trigger security scanners. The same goes for the other myths that circulate among kids, like braces attracting lightning. Those make for good stories but aren’t something to worry about.
Myth: You’ll Have to Give Up Sports or Music
Kids and adults in braces play sports and instruments all the time.
For contact sports, an orthodontic mouthguard is important. It’s designed to fit over braces and protect both the teeth and the soft tissues of the mouth. For musicians, especially those who play brass or woodwind instruments, there’s usually an adjustment period of a week or two while the lips get used to the brackets. After that, most players are back to normal.
Myth: Braces Mean Giving Up Your Favorite Foods
With braces, a few kinds of food do need a break: very hard things like ice, hard candy, and popcorn kernels, plus very sticky ones like caramel and taffy. Those can bend wires or pop off brackets. Crunchy foods like apples and carrots are still fine when they’re cut into smaller pieces.
The list is shorter than most people expect, and it’s temporary. With ClearCorrect aligners, there’s no food list at all, since the trays come out for meals. You’ll just want to brush before putting them back in.
Myth: It’s Best to Wait Until All the Baby Teeth Are Gone
Many orthodontic problems can’t be fully treated until the permanent teeth are in, but that doesn’t mean the first visit should wait. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have an orthodontic checkup by age 7.
At that age, an orthodontist can see how the jaws are growing and how permanent teeth are coming in. Most kids won’t need treatment right away. For a smaller number, catching a problem early makes it simpler to guide, and for everyone else, it means the family knows what to watch for.
Myth: You Need a Referral to See an Orthodontist
You don’t. Your family dentist may suggest an orthodontic visit, which is great, but you can schedule a consultation on your own anytime you have a question about your teeth or your child’s.
A consultation is simply a conversation and an exam. There’s no commitment, and you’ll leave with a clearer picture of what, if anything, is worth doing and when.
Myth: Orthodontics Is Just About Looks
A straighter smile is a wonderful result, but it’s not the only one. Teeth that line up well are easier to clean, which helps protect against cavities and gum problems. A balanced bite spreads chewing forces more evenly, reducing uneven wear and strain on individual teeth.
For many patients, the health benefits are just as meaningful as the cosmetic ones.
Myth: Once Treatment Ends, Your Teeth Stay Put
This may be the most important myth to clear up. Teeth have a natural tendency to drift, especially in the months right after braces or aligners come off, while the bone and tissues around them settle.
That’s why retainers matter. Wearing your retainer as directed is what protects the result you and your orthodontist worked to achieve. Skipping it is the most common reason teeth shift back.
Myth: Any Provider Offers the Same Orthodontic Care
Orthodontists complete additional years of specialized training after dental school, focused entirely on how teeth and jaws move and develop. Drs. Jarosz and Valente are both Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics, a certification that involves a rigorous review of clinical cases and knowledge beyond that training.
Experience matters when planning how teeth will move, especially in more involved cases, and it helps make sure you get the approach that fits you best.
Get Real Answers in Arlington Heights and Deerfield
The best way to separate fact from myth is to ask an orthodontist directly. If you’re curious about braces or ClearCorrect aligners for yourself or your child, Drs. Jarosz and Valente are happy to answer your questions and explain your options. Schedule a consultation at our Arlington Heights or Deerfield office.
