As you prepare to get braces and start wearing them, you may be a little nervous. It can take some time to get used to this treatment. You will encounter some challenges, but the result can help you achieve your goals. During the process, you need to be diligent about caring for your braces. This will help you get the most out of the treatment and be happy with your new smile. Your diligence will also help to ensure that you get them off as soon as possible.
Traditional braces consist of metal brackets and wires, along with elastics. The orthodontist will attach the brackets to the teeth with dental cement and run the wire through them. The elastics hold the wires in place. Together, these components put constant but gentle pressure on the teeth. This forces the teeth to move into the proper positions in the mouth. The treatment length is usually 18 to 24 months, though this will depend on the severity of the patient’s alignment issues.
The orthodontist will first take X-rays and make impressions of the teeth. From here, the orthodontist will make a treatment plan. The appointment to get the braces takes about 90 minutes. The patient returns to the office every few weeks for follow-up visits. Here, the orthodontist will adjust the braces and review the progress of the treatment.
Some foods and braces do not mix well. The patient should avoid biting into hard foods such as hard candy, ice, and popcorn kernels. The person should also be cautious about eating chewy and sticky foods such as bagels, gum, and taffy. These items can damage the brackets and wires. There may even be instances where the brackets come off the teeth. The patient should also minimize the amount of sugar they eat.
Braces do an effective job of straightening teeth. But this treatment can make it more difficult to brush and floss well. As a result, some patients get frustrated and neglect these vital habits. Diligently flossing by using a floss hook to get in between the wires will keep the braces and teeth clean. When brushing, the patient should make sure to hit every part of every tooth.
Inevitably, food will get trapped in the brackets and wires. If the patient does not remove these particles, it can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. The braces can also start to deteriorate. Rinsing throughout the day can help. This is especially important after meals and before bedtime.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Orthodontist in Tustin, CA
You want your braces to straighten your teeth. But it is also important to make sure they are clean and in good condition. As you do this, you can have peace of mind that the treatment will go well and not drag on. Follow these tips so you can get the most out of this orthodontic care.
Request an appointment or call FitSmiles Orthodontics at 714-782-0217 for an appointment in our Tustin office.
When it comes to orthodontic therapy, there are solutions for everyone. Orthodontics covers a wide range of conditions, from minor to severe and everything in between. If you are unhappy with your smile, you should visit an orthodontist. There is a solution to repair your teeth, no matter what your concerns are. You can then…
Many have heard of traditional metal braces, but fewer are familiar with how lingual braces for orthodontic therapy work and the unique advantages they can offer. This review discusses the basics of lingual braces to help you determine if treatment is right for you according to your needs and treatment preferences.Lingual braces are more discreet…
Misaligned teeth often cause secondary oral health issues that affect a person’s daily life. This is why dentists need to monitor the growth and development of the teeth and jaws starting from when the patient is a young age. These periodic dental checks allow for early detection and intervention for orthodontic problems.While an orthodontist would…