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 Reston, VA
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 Precision Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry at 703-391-8800 for an appointment in our Reston office.
Accelerated orthodontic treatment provides a faster alternative to traditional braces, making it a preferred option for many patients seeking quicker results. This method focuses on reducing treatment time without compromising the quality of tooth movement or long-term dental health. Accelerated orthodontic treatment is ideal for individuals seeking efficient yet safe options for correcting alignment issues.Accelerated…
Ceramic braces are a less-noticeable alternative to metal braces. Similar to metal braces, ceramic braces are made up of two main components: wires and brackets. The brackets are glued to each of the patient’s teeth, while the wires connect the brackets on each dental arch. The wires are used to control how much force the…
Choosing braces to correct your teeth can be an exciting and life-changing decision, but the process itself does not always go as planned. While discomfort and pain are not typical experiences with orthodontic treatment, there are many reasons you might feel uncomfortable throughout your journey towards straighter teeth – from being fitted to after you…
Excessive sugar consumption is one of the most notable contributing factors to childhood cavities. Read on to learn for recommendations from a pediatric dentist. Pediatric dentists recommend that parents limit the amount of sugar their child consumes, along with taking other oral health precautions and helping their child practice good oral hygiene daily.The fact is…
Tooth decay is one of the most common issues pediatric dentistry deals with. It is an oral problem that affects children and adults, but the former are more susceptible to it for several reasons.For starters, children have thinner layers of enamel which makes their baby teeth more vulnerable to decay. A child is also more…