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Smile created by Dr. Hutto.
Portraits taken by Shawn Hodges.

Patient Education

FAQs

Q: At what age should I schedule my child’s first appointment for an orthodontic screening?

A: The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at age seven. By this age, several permanent teeth in most children have erupted, allowing us to effectively evaluate a child’s orthodontic condition.

Q: How long will it take to complete treatment?

A: Treatment time obviously depends on each patient’s specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment time lasts from 18 months to 28 months. The “average” time frame a person is in braces is approximately 22 months.

Q: Do braces hurt?

A: Generally, braces not “hurt.” After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days. In these situations, pain medications such as Advil or Tylenol will ease the discomfort. However, after most visits, patients do not feel any soreness at all! We often remind our patients, “it does not have to hurt to work!”

Q: Can I still play sports?

A: Yes. We recommend a mouthguard for all sports.

Q: Are there foods I can’t eat while I have braces?

A: Yes. Once treatment begins, we will explain the complete instructions and provide a comprehensive list of foods to avoid. Some of those foods include: ice, hard candy, raw vegetables, and all sticky foods (i.e. caramel and taffy). You can avoid most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions.

Q: What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?

A: If your braces are causing extreme pain or if something breaks, you should call our east Texas orthodontic offices. In most cases, we can address these issues over the telephone. If you require an emergency appointment, we will set aside time for you.

Q: How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?

A: Patients should brush their teeth at least four times each day: after each meal and before going to bed. We will show each patient how to floss their teeth with braces and may also provide a prescription for a special fluoride, if necessary. All patients receiving a full set of braces will receive a Sonicare toothbrush from Dr. Hutto.

Q: Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?

A: A surprising percentage of our patients are adults. In fact, 25 percent of all orthodontic patients are adults. Health, happiness, and self-esteem are vitally important to adults. No patient is “too old” to wear braces!

At Hutto Orthodontics, we want to enhance the smiles of children, teenagers, and adults with expert orthodontics. Dr. Hutto’s Henderson office also proudly serves Tyler, Nacogdoches, Jacksonville, and Carthage; and our Kilgore office welcomes patients from Longview, Hallsville, Gladewater, and Marshall. Call our Kilgore or Henderson, TX offices today to schedule an appointment, and we’ll give you and your family a reason to smile!