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Braces FAQ

Home » Braces » Braces FAQ

What Types Of Foods Need To Be Avoided With Braces?

If you have braces, then you know that eating some of your favorite foods can become more difficult. Foods such as caramel, taffy, gum, or any sticky food should be avoided while wearing braces because they can become stuck in the brackets and are very difficult to remove. Hard foods such as raw carrots and apples should also be cooked or cut into small pieces, so you don’t damage the wires or brackets. In addition, crunchy items like chips and popcorn should also not be eaten regularly, as they could loosen or damage the braces when bitten into. With a few minor adjustments to your diet, you can still enjoy tasty meals, even with braces!

How Do I Best Keep My Braces Clean?

Keeping your braces clean is essential to protecting your teeth and gums from bacteria, food debris, and other plaque build-ups. Proper daily brushing and flossing is the primary way to ensure your braces stay clean. It’s important to brush all surfaces of your teeth and any areas between the brackets and wires of your braces after each meal or snack. This will help remove plaque build-up that can cause gum irritation or decay. Additionally, using an interdental toothbrush is a good idea, which can help get into hard-to-reach places between your braces and prevent tartar build-up. If you’re having trouble brushing or flossing with regular tools while wearing braces, you can also purchase specifically designed orthodontic cleaning tools. With proper care and regular visits to your dentist and our office for checkups, you’ll ensure that you maintain a healthy smile even while wearing braces!

Do Braces Hurt?

When it comes to braces, one of the most common questions dentists hear is, “Do they hurt?”. The truth is that braces typically don’t cause any long-lasting discomfort. Most patients experience some tenderness for a few days after their initial fitting appointment and following adjustments. However, thanks to modern technology, braces are much more comfortable than ever before, and with regular oral care, parents and children can be sure that any discomfort from braces will remain minimal.

You can rest assured that at Burrow Welchel and Culp Orthodontics, we offer 24-hour emergency availability to talk directly to a doctor if you ever have an appliance emergency or continued discomfort.

Should I Continue To See My Family Dentist While In Braces?

Absolutely! Seeing your family dentist while wearing braces is an important part of maintaining optimal oral health. Visiting your family dentist regularly will help ensure that you have a straighter, healthier smile at the end of your treatment. Ultimately, continuing to see your family dentist while in braces is a great way to ensure optimal oral health and results.

How Much Do Braces Cost?

The cost of orthodontic treatment varies from case to case, depending on the severity of the issue and the level of care needed. Depending on the severity of your orthodontic issue, you may find that the cost of treatment is significantly less than you anticipated. At the first appointment, we will go through all of the costs in detail. Your retainers and follow-up appointments are included in the specified price, as are all office visits.

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Patient Reviews

Our 5-Star Experience

We work hard to earn our patients’ trust by providing the highest quality orthodontic care possible. Check out what other patients are saying about their experience!

Sydney W.
Had a great experience with them! Very friendly and understanding staff. I highly recommend
Response from the owner:Hi, Sydney. We appreciate the kind words and are glad we could provide you with a positive experience!
Jim and Joy A.
We absolutely love Dr. Culp. He has been amazing in walking my teen through his braces, super friendly and personable. The office staff is also very friendly.
Response from the owner:Hi, Jim. We appreciate the kind words and are glad we could provide you with a positive experience!
Liz H.
Everyone was very friendly and answered all of our questions. They explained everything that they were doing and going to do to my child in a way the could understand.
Response from the owner:Hi, Liz. Thanks for taking the time to share your positive experience. We truly appreciate it!
Samaya
If you ever need braces this is the best place to come to , everyone is so nice from the front desk to the providers . And not just a “ oh they work there so they have to be nice “ you can tell they are very genuine. Very friendly not intimidating at all . Since I’m in school they try to work with my schedule, . Wish I could keep my braces on forever to keep going
Response from the owner:Hi, Samaya. We are thrilled to learn that you had a positive experience with us!
Taylor R.
We had a phenomenal experience with Dr. Albert and Elizabeth! Their customer service was phenomenal! Our son Brady has autism and Elizabeth did an excellent job walking him through his x-rays. Dr. Albert was fantastic when explaining everything! We look forward to years ahead with this great staff!
Response from the owner:Hi, Taylor. We are thrilled to learn that you had a positive experience with us!
Erin
My experience has been nothing but amazing . Everyone is super nice and helpful. Everything as far as my treatment and what that would look like was very detailed so i appreciate that. Super happy I chose this company to do my braces
Response from the owner:Hi, Erin. We appreciate the kind words and are glad we could provide you with a positive experience!
Armando G.
Great experience! All staff is very welcoming & provide a great experience. Thank you to ALL the staff!!!😎
Response from the owner:Hi, Armando. We are thrilled to learn that you had a positive experience with us!
Chasity F.
B♥️ W♥️ C for the win!!! I can not say enough good things about our experience today !! Dr Alex was amazing & Christina was so patient with my kiddo !!! I can say I visited two other drs & BWC was the only one that followed & was so helpful u til we made our decision !!
Response from the owner:Hi, Chasity. We are thrilled to learn that you had a positive experience with us!
Deniese M.
Friendly, proficient and professional is what I can say about the Ballantyne office. Elizabeth is awesomeness. She is so informative in what to expect and payment options. I love the transparency re services and payments options. Dr. Burrow is so nice and kind. He did not rush through our visit and answered all of my daughter and I questions on the outline of her dental care plan.
Response from the owner:Hi, Deniese. Thank you so much for leaving us a stellar review!
Renice S.
Dr. Alex Culp and his entire team are truly exceptional. From the very first appointment, I felt completely cared for, supported, and confident that I was in the best hands possible. Dr. Culp is not only extremely knowledgeable and skilled, but also incredibly kind, patient, and thoughtful in the way he approaches care. He takes the time to explain everything, answers questions thoroughly, and makes sure you feel comfortable every step of the way.

What truly sets him apart is his compassion. As a mom, being able to bring my daughter (affectionately known as Nuggie) to my appointments meant more to me than I can express. Dr. Culp and his team welcomed her with such warmth and understanding, which made the entire experience stress-free and genuinely enjoyable. That level of kindness and flexibility speaks volumes about the culture he’s created in his practice.

The entire staff is just as wonderful—friendly, supportive, professional, and always attentive. You can tell they truly care about their patients and love what they do. Every visit feels positive, calm, and well-organized.

I absolutely love Dr. Culp and his team and cannot recommend them highly enough. If you’re looking for an orthodontist who combines expertise with heart, this is the place. 🤍🩷🦷✨
Response from the owner:Hi, Renice. Your feedback is highly appreciated. Thank you for the review!
Li H.
It’s been a while since we’ve had to visit as the kids are all out of braces now. We were so pleased to come in and receive the same amazing and personal care and service as always. We were also glad to visit two of your new locations. Congratulations! Thank you, Dr. Britney and all the Drs. Burrow.
Response from the owner:Hi, Li. Your feedback is highly appreciated. Thank you for the review!
cinthya P.
Excellent service, very professional, I highly recommend them. I am very, very grateful to them. My son is happy with his braces.
Response from the owner:Hi, Cinthya. Thanks for taking the time to share your positive experience. We truly appreciate it!
Jennifer J. H.
The staff is very friendly and professional from time to time you'll get a joke about your treatment plan, like closing up them parking spaces.
Response from the owner:Hi, Jennifer. We appreciate the kind words and are glad we could provide you with a positive experience!
Dalvin G.
The staff, technicians, and doctors are always proving excellent service! They go above and beyond to make sure you are comfortable after adjustments.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the kind words! We're really glad to hear that our team helps you feel comfortable and cared for—especially after adjustments. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and are happy to have you with us!
Megan H.
Dr Albert and the hygienist are all welcoming, on time and answer any and all questions. Great with kids too! Highly recommend!

Dr Albert also found a potential adenoid issue during X-rays and went through extra lengths to explain concerns and suggested to follow up with a specialist. There was an issue and we were able to get a treatment plan after seeing a specialist that would have otherwise been ignored.
Response from the owner:Hi, Megan. We appreciate the kind words and are glad we could provide you with a positive experience!
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Our Locations

Come Visit Us

To best serve you, we offer multiple orthodontic office locations for your convenience. Come see us at one of our locations below for high-quality orthodontic care with a personal touch you won’t find anywhere else.

Locations
Ballantyne
  • 14746 Lancaster Hwy.
    Pineville, NC 28134
Charlotte
  • 2711 Randolph Rd. Ste. 600
    Charlotte, NC 28207
Fort Mill
  • 1550 N. Dobys Bridge Rd. #102
    Fort Mill, SC 29715
Gastonia
  • 860 Summit Crossing Pl. Ste. 130
    Gastonia, NC 28054
Harrisburg
  • 3612 Hwy 49
    Harrisburg, NC 28075
Huntersville
  • 13605 Reese Blvd. W.
    Huntersville, NC 28078
Rock Hill
  • 227 S Herlong Ave #101
    Rock Hill, SC 29732
Tega Cay
  • 1365 Gold Hill Rd.
    Fort Mill, SC 29708
University
  • 10818 Mallard Creek Rd. Ste. 101
    Charlotte, NC 28262
Waverly
  • 11835 Southmore Dr. Ste. 201
    Charlotte, NC 28277
Wilmington
  • 109 Mendenhall Dr.
    Wilmington, NC 28411
Phone Number
  • (704) 334-7202
Contact Hours
Monday 7:00am – 5:00pm
Tuesday 7:00am – 5:00pm
Wednesday 7:00am – 5:00pm
Thursday 7:00am – 5:00pm
Friday 7:00am – 4:00pm
Saturday 9:00am – 3:00pm

Harrisburg

ballantyne

  • 14746 Lancaster Hwy.
    Pineville, NC 28134
  • SCHEDULE FREE CONSULT

Harrisburg

charlotte

  • 2711 Randolph Rd. Ste. 600
    Charlotte, NC 28207
  • SCHEDULE FREE CONSULT

Harrisburg

fort mill

  • 1550 N. Dobys Bridge Rd. #102
    Fort Mill, SC 29715
  • SCHEDULE FREE CONSULT

Harrisburg

gastonia

  • 860 Summit Crossing Pl. Ste. 130
    Gastonia, NC 28054
  • SCHEDULE FREE CONSULT

Harrisburg

Harrisburg

  • 3612 Hwy 49
    Harrisburg, NC 28075
  • SCHEDULE FREE CONSULT

Harrisburg

huntersville

  • 13605 Reese Blvd. W.
    Huntersville, NC 28078
  • SCHEDULE FREE CONSULT

Harrisburg

Rock Hill

  • 227 S Herlong Ave #101
    Rock Hill, SC 29732
  • SCHEDULE FREE CONSULT

Harrisburg

Tega Cay

  • 1365 Gold Hill Rd.
    Fort Mill, SC 29708
  • SCHEDULE FREE CONSULT

Harrisburg

university

  • 10818 Mallard Creek Rd. Ste. 101
    Charlotte, NC 28262
  • SCHEDULE FREE CONSULT

Harrisburg

waverly

  • 11835 Southmore Dr. Ste. 201
    Charlotte, NC 28277
  • SCHEDULE FREE CONSULT

Harrisburg

wilmington

  • 109 Mendenhall Dr.
    Wilmington, NC 28411
  • SCHEDULE FREE CONSULT
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