HOW TO KEEP YOUR NEW SMIILE STRAIGHTER AFTER BRACES TREATMENT
Contributed by DentalROI
It's pretty standard for your teeth to go into a bit of a shock in the initial period of your braces being removed—somewhat similar to what you experienced when put on initially.
This should be no cause for alarm. The shock can lead to temporary sensitivity in the teeth in some patients, making them seem brittle. For this, sensitive toothpaste can do wonders in reducing the shock, as can avoiding hard or crunchy food while the sensation lasts to keep your smile perfect.
If you have just had braces placed, then congratulations! Here at Ballard Orthodontics in Sandpoint and Bonner's Ferry, Idaho, we understand that many teenagers and adults are a little apprehensive when they first begin orthodontic treatment, but we’d like to remind you about the positives of having braces.
Do you avoid smiling because of misaligned teeth? Does your teeth or jaw hurt when you chew or bite hard foods? These may be a few indications that you need braces. While your orthodontist can help you determine the right treatment path, it is always a good idea to empower yourself by arming yourself with the correct information. Here are a few warning signs that you need braces, what to do, and how to get started prepping for the process.
Most people imagine orthodontic treatment is an aesthetic procedure which is designed to improve the appearance of their smile. In fact, orthodontics can do far more than merely provide you with more attractive teeth as it can correct a number of other problems you almost certainly haven’t considered. For example, were you aware that poorly aligned teeth can affect your speech?
While intraoral scanners have been around for a while, many patients aren’t aware of the significant benefits they provide. In fact, most patients may not even know what an intraoral scanner is and what it does. We are happy to highlight the positive aspects that an intraoral scanner brings to our practice. If you have any questions about how your treatment may improve with an intraoral scanner, talk to your dental professional.
When you are making a trip to see your orthodontist, you may not know precisely what needs to be addressed with your teeth. You may know that you have pain, pressure, or that something doesn’t feel quite right. To narrow down your particular problem, or to prevent dental issues in the future, it is essential that you ask the right questions. With as much information that is out there, researching on your own can be overwhelming. Instead, here are some questions you should ask your orthodontist before treatment.
During orthodontic treatment, your braces will require thorough maintenance to ensure continued dental health. Ultimately you will need to spend a little longer brushing your teeth and it is important to always consider which foods are best to eat during orthodontic treatment. Initially, this might seem a little daunting, but it’s really quite straightforward, and the time you spend wearing braces will quickly pass (although it may not seem like it during treatment.) Before you know it however, they will be removed to fully reveal your newly straightened, healthy and beautiful smile. Initially, when your braces are placed, the staff at Ballard Orthodontics will carefully explain how to take care of your braces each day and will review your hygiene routine. But just in case you would like to refresh your memory, we have put together this article to help make this process more automatic for you during your orthodontic treatment.
When you first begin wearing braces, you will need to think a little more about the foods that will be suitable to eat and those that will not damage or break your brackets. And at this point you may already have good ideas relative to what you can eat during treatment and foods that are best avoided. But, before you go to the grocery store, it’s worth making a list that includes soft, easy to eat foods that are handy to have, as well as all the ingredients for any new recipes you want to try out.
