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Got my braces. Now what?

Now that you’re wearing braces, it’s just as important to maintain a good oral hygiene regimen as you did before your orthodontic treatment began.

How do I keep my teeth clean?

Braces are known to trap food particles and make it difficult to brush or remove plaque, which is why we recommend that you brush and floss after every meal. We also encourage you to use a proxabrush to help with the smaller areas where your toothbrush doesn’t reach. We also recommend the use of fluoride rinse. When your braces are initially placed, your teeth are likely to be very sensitive. You may experience discomfort for up to 3 or 5 days, which is why we encourage you to eat soft foods during that time. Remember, the less pressure you put on your teeth, the less discomfort you will experience.

You may also be thinking, “Okay, so what can I eat?” We would encourage you to avoid eating sticky, hard, crunchy or chewy snacks that can stick to your teeth or damage the braces.

It’s critical to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. In the event of a loose/broken wire or bracket, please call our office immediately to schedule an appointment for repair.

How do I maintain my oral health during treatment?

Lastly, in addition to visiting our office during your orthodontic treatment for regular adjustments, you should visit your dentist for professional check-ups and teeth cleaning appointments every six months, or as recommended by your doctor.

Questions? Please let us know below by giving us a call or during your next adjustment!

What should I ask during my consultation?

If you have been thinking about orthodontic treatment to straighten teeth or correct jaw alignment, your first step is a visit to our office for an orthodontic consultation. During the initial consultation we will address your questions, concerns, and talk about a treatment plan that would best suit your case.

Because we want you to feel prepared and in charge of your orthodontic treatment decisions, consider the following questions when you visit for your initial consultation.

If I do need some adjustments to my teeth, what options will I have besides braces?
What kind of preparation is needed to get braces? How many visits will it take?
How many visits will the treatment plan take?
Can I expect any pain when getting braces?
What are the factors that determine how long I have to wear braces?
How will braces affect my lifestyle? Foods I can eat? Activities I can participate in?
Who will be involved in the orthodontic work? Whom can I expect to see during my adjustment visits?
What is the correct expectation in terms of outcome?
How much will my orthodontic work cost? What is the “average” cost?
Your initial orthodontic consultation may just be the first step in relieving concerns about the appearance of your smile, or discomfort you are experiencing. Going in with the right questions will help you to understand the entire process, the state of the art treatment options available to you, and prepare you to do your part for your own dental health, ultimately leaving you with a great smile!

How long does orthodontic treatment take?

Your smile is totally unique, so the time you’ll need to spend undergoing orthodontic treatment will also be unique. Generally, orthodontic treatment will take about two years, and this is for good reason. During this time, your teeth will slowly move into their desired positions, leaving you with a great smile with as little discomfort as possible. Rushing treatment can result in a less than perfect smile with a greater chance of tooth movement after your treatment is complete. After all, we don’t want to waste your time with treatment that won’t retain your smile for the rest of your life.

Of course, treatment time will vary depending on your specific situation. Very minor tooth movement may only take a few months to correct, while serious malocclusion (poor bite) may need more than two years to correct. Based on a thorough examination and complete clinical records we will be able to accurately estimate the time your treatment will take. But—it’ll all be worth it in the end! Orthodontic care is not only about beautiful smiles, it dramatically improves your overall oral and gum health.

Has your child or teen visited our office for an orthodontic consultation? If not, please give us a call and let us help him or her begin the journey to a gorgeous smile!

A lot of our patients play sports, and now is a great time to remind all of you to take care of both your mouth and appliances while participating in sports – especially contact sports such as soccer, football and basketball.

One of the most important pieces of sports equipment you can wear on the field is a mouth guard. A well-fitted mouth guard allows you to breathe and speak more clearly, in addition to protecting your mouth and appliances. Only by using a mouth guard can athletes avoid serious mouth and jaw injuries. The next time you’re in for an adjustment appointment, we encourage you to let us know if you’re playing or planning to play any sports. We can produce a mouth guard customized to your mouth that will work best for you.

Here are another five quick tips for keeping yourself safe during sports activities:

Wear a helmet
Stretch before and after a game or practice
Wear protective eyewear
Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
Be observant, even as a spectator

We hope this helps! You can always contact us if you have any questions!