Cherry Creek Orthodontics Blog | Dr. Rudman

There is no fixed rule as to the best age for starting with braces. Many of our patients are adults, some of them over age 55. The teeth can be realigned at any age.

However, there is an advantage to starting orthodontic work in early adolescence. That is because all the adult teeth (except wisdom teeth) have emerged, but the facial shape and jawline are still developing. In fact this growth is happening quickly in adolescence.

When braces are planned, it is not just tooth positioning that is being considered. The bite is also part of the plan – the way the lower jaw moves to meet the upper jaw. Tooth alignment and the bite are closely related and braces can correct the bite while they correct tooth alignment.

It is a good idea to bring your child to our office for an initial examination by about age seven. This is the age recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists. A child’s dental misalignment may not cause any pain and you may not realize there is any present problem, or any likely future problem, until the child has an orthodontic exam.


Some children may have problems before the age of seven, and the sooner dental problems are corrected, the better the long-term outcome will be.

Alternatives to Conventional Braces
Many adults feel reluctant to have any orthodontic work done because of the change metal braces will make to their facial appearance. But metal braces are not the only way to perform orthodontic work. We also offer Invisalign, which uses clear, removable plastic aligners to reposition the teeth and iBraces, which are worn on the back surfaces of the teeth and are therefore completely invisible.

If you are feeling unhappy with your own tooth alignment and wonder if it can be corrected, or if you would like you child’s teeth to be checked, please contact us today. Dr. Rudman will be happy to talk with you and your child, listen to your concerns, and explain the options. There is no charge for this initial consultation. Our office serves Denver and Stapleton in Colorado.

Typically, no part of your braces will break. However, one way it can happen is from eating hard, crunchy foods. If you eat carrots or apples, for example, first chop them into bite-size pieces, or cook them to make them soft.

Eating such hard foods can bend or snap the arch wire or break brackets off the teeth. For the same reason, it is best not to chew on ice or hard candy. Sticky and chewy candy is also damaging. Gummy bears, caramels and taffy can damage the braces and also damage the teeth that have brackets attached to them.

When playing sports, it is important to use your mouthguard to protect the braces and teeth from injury.

Sometimes, brackets may come loose from the teeth because of cement weakening over the months, or because of the pressure being applied to move the teeth. Dr. Rudman can replace them.

Please Call Our Office
If the arch wire breaks, there may be sharp ends that cause pain and injury. Please call us at 303.331.0222, as we can often resolve that with you over the phone. If there is no pain, you could email our orthodontics office instead and we will respond promptly.

As the teeth move their positioning, the end of the arch wire can sometimes be displaced and poke into the cheek. You may be able to bend it away from any soft tissue, using a spoon or pair of tweezers, and this will relieve the pain or discomfort. Please contact us as soon as possible however, so that Dr. Rudman can clip that wire properly.

If the braces break repeatedly it will prolong the treatment period required to correctly re-align your teeth. Dr. Rudman gives written directions to every patient and they are designed to optimize your orthodontic work. Please read and follow them exactly. The safety and effectiveness of your braces depends largely on your diet being appropriate.

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about your braces, or your child’s braces. Our office serves Denver and Stapleton in Colorado.