Orthodontic Treatment Takes Time!
Braces used in orthodontic treatment need time to work. This generally takes two to three years. The braces are fixed permanently on the teeth until the completion of treatment. Special appliances called retainers are fitted after treatment to hold the teeth in their new position.
For treatment to progress smoothly, you need to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing regularly, especially after every meal or snack. Remember to bring a travel toothbrush with you when you are not at home. Avoid eating hard, sticky, and chewy foods and keep to your orthodontic appointments faithfully!
For treatment to progress smoothly, you need to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing regularly, especially after every meal or snack. Remember to bring a travel toothbrush with you when you are not at home. Avoid eating hard, sticky, and chewy foods and keep to your orthodontic appointments faithfully!
ITS ALL ABOUT YOUR LIPS!
Remember to put on some lip balm BEFORE you get your braces on. Afterwards, your lips will be dry and cracked from keeping your mouth open for some time. You should probably apply it before getting them tightened too, as that could take even longer, in some cases!
YOUR LIPS WILL BE DRY AFTER EVERY APPOINTMENT
So keep applying lip balm consistently, throughout your braces period of your life. Keep some on hand, either in your purse, pocket, backpack, locker, or even carry it around! Some of the best kinds of lip balm include:
QUICK AND AFFORDABLE WAY TO WHITEN YOUR TEETH!
Try Crest White Strips after getting your braces off, as there will likely be some discoloration where the metal once was.
You can also use Crest 3D White toothpaste:
and Crest 3D White Oral Rinse:
YOUR FIRST NIGHT
The first night after you've put them on is probably going to be the hardest. Try to sleep laid on your back, instead of face-down, so that you can avoid most of the pain caused by the constant pulling the braces cause. Remember though that this subdues after 2 to 3 days. A mild painkiller may help as well, if really needed.
FOOD DURNING YOUR TREATMENT
The goals of braces are simple: give the patient's straight teeth and a beautiful smile! To reach this end, however, patient's must hold up their end of the bargain by doing more than just brushing and flossing regularly. not to spoil your appetite, but some foods can loosen or break your braces and should be scratched off from your menu!
Here are your braces' biggest enemies:
- Apples: Make sure to NOT bite into a whole apple...cut it into bite size pieces to avoid popping a bracket off!
- Bagels and hard rolls: Convicted culprits of bending wires and loosening brackets!
- Beef jerky: Your braces don't stand a chance against this leathery food snack!
- Bubble gum: Trust us, there's nothing worse than spending hours trying to pick out the gum stuck to your braces!
- Candy canes or suckers: You might weaken and take a bite!
- Caramels and chewy candies: And you thought bubble gum was messy....
- Chicken wings: You can enjoy these if you first cut the meat off the bone.
- Corn chips: Anything that crushes when you bite is bad news for your braces!
- Corn on the cob: If you must, remove the kernels from the cob with a knife, then enjoy!
- Fingernails: Now's the perfect time to kick that bad habit out the curb!
- Fruit Roll-Ups: Same as bubble gum.
- Gummi anything: Same as bubble gum.
- Hard candies: Can loosen wires and dislodge brackets.
- Hard cookies: Good news: You can have these if you soften them up with a glass of milk!
- Ice cubs: No crunching!
- Nuts: All varieties-including peanuts, cashews and almonds-are off limits!
- Pears: Just like you would with apples, cut them into small pieces first!
- Peanut brittle: Same as ice cubs and corn chips, no crunching!
- Pens and pencils: Don't laugh, a lot of students can't stop chewing on these inedible school supplies.
- Pickles: If you have a craving, cut them into bite sized pieces!
- Popcorn: Great with movies, bad with braces!
- Pizza crust: Good news: the rest of the pizza is fine!
- Pretzels: Bends wires, loosens bands and knocks off brackets.
- Raw carrots: Steam or boil them for a much less crunchy consistency!
- Ribs: Just like you would with chicken wings, take the meat off the bone first.
- Sugary candy: Can lodge beneath brackets and wires, leading to tooth decay.
- Taffy: It's best to avoid this stuff entirely-even if you don't have braces.
CLEANLINESS
Clean teeth move more comfortably! Swollen gums that occur from dirty teeth create pressure that the body uses to signal you with pain to alert you to the insult. People who keep their braces spotlessly clean rarely complain of pain!
GETTING YOUR BRACES!
Braces can be painful and uncomfortable the first few days or even up to a week once you get them on. You're going to want to make this procedure comfortable and avoid the unpleasures that are likely possible. Here are some steps and tips on how to make that happen!
1. EAT. You wont be able to do it without discomfort after the first few days, so eat some hard foods or anything that you have to chew before you get your braces on. After this, it's all mashed potatoes and ice-cream for the next few days.
2. THINK POSITIVE. Don't think of every day as another day with braces. Think of it as another day closer to getting them off. Imagine how happy you will be with your straight teeth. Having a positive attitude will make life with braces, or anything, a lot easier.
3. REMEMBER PATIENCE. Always remember to be patient. It will take awhile to get the braces on. Bring music, a book, or a distraction of sorts to keep yourself occupied and to help pass the time.
4. BRUSH YOUR TEETH. It will make yours and your orthodontist's experience a lot better if there isn't food stuck in between your teeth. Don't forget to brush that white film off of your tongue too!
- After you get your braces, repeat step 1 and eat some food but soft foods likes mashed potatoes, or pasta, or some soup. Your teeth wont hurt until a few hours after having your braces put on but you also don't want to break anything that was just put on either! Try not to eat anything with bread - it will get stuck in your braces.
- Follow your guidelines given to you by your orthodontist. Only eat what they say you can and wear rubber bands as needed.
- Afterwards, it's not that bad having braces. Your teeth will be sensitive for a few days, but after that, they will only hurt after you get them adjusted.
- Stick to your orthodontists plan! Having braces will pass a lot quicker if you are careful not to pop brackets or lose bands!
- Your orthodontist will give you wax for your teeth. Be sure to use it if your braces are cutting you!
YOUR JOB
By Following Dr. Bayrakdarian's guidance on dental hygiene and avoiding certain foods while wearing braces, you will be on track to a lifetime of healthy teeth and a beautiful smile!
Plaque is the reason that patients need to be vigilant about dental hygiene during orthodontic treatment. If plaque is left on teeth and around braces, patients may develop swollen gums, bad breath, scarred and discolored teeth, and even cavities. When plaque is removed regularly during treatment, patients are rewarded with the best possible results in the shortest time possible.
To help you in your fight against plaque, Dr. Bayrakdarian recommends the following tools:
1. Toothbrushes (manual, travel and power varieties);
2. Fluoride toothpaste;
3. Dental floss;
4. Interproximal brush-tiny, cone-shaped brush that is designed to slip under the archwire and remove plaque and food particles in hard-to-reach spots around brackets and between teeth; and
5. Fluoride rinse.
Once you have the proper tools, you can fight plaque by following these guidelines. To begin, patients should clean their teeth at least four times a day (after each meal and before bed) with a soft, rounded-bristle manual or power toothbrush in good condition and a fluoride toothpaste. and Dr. Bayrakdarian's instructions on how to properly brush with braces should be followed. Patients also need professional cleanings at the dentist's office at least every six months to keep teeth and gums in top condition during orthodontic treatment. even with diligent attention to daily dental hygiene, professional cleanings are key in removing plaque build-up!
A COOL TIP ABOUT DAMON BRACES
Damon braces get tighter when you drink hot liquids and looser when you drink or eat something cold. If your braces are ever feeling uncomfortably tight, to have a glass of ice water and the pressure will be relieved. On the other hand, hot drinks actually cause the wire to tighten up a little. Had no idea? It sure does explain why you always feel your teeth moving after a morning cup of coffee!
