What to Expect on Your Journey to Straight Teeth

Who doesn’t want a beautiful smile that shows off bright, even teeth? Thanks to the top-notch orthodontics for all ages available today, this perfect smile can be yours even if your teeth are misaligned or unevenly positioned now. But orthodontic treatments are not magic and can’t give you solutions overnight. Here’s what you should expect when you decide on straight teeth solutions via orthodontic treatment.

Patience is key

Orthodontic solutions are very effective, and the longer-than-you-like journey they involve is well worth it. Here’s what you should plan for when you opt for orthodontic treatments. The first step is the consultation when your teeth impressions are taken. The dentist examines your teeth and discusses the issues that are to be corrected. They will explain to you the exact orthodontic solutions that are going to be implemented to get your perfect teeth.

The next stage is when you get your braces. Suppose you are going with clear aligners as your straight teeth solutions. In that case, you will get attachments positioned right over the teeth before aligners go on in the right place. Once this is done, the dentist will talk to you about oral care with the aligners/ braces. After this, you visit the dentist regularly so the braces can be adjusted/ aligners checked for positioning.

These appointments will be scheduled by your dentist, say every six weeks, until your teeth are in perfect alignment. When your teeth get in line as desired, the braces may be removed, or the aligners are done finally. Next, you get retainers that ensure all the hard work done in the previous stages is cemented well and truly until the teeth are permanently fixed in position. The total time taken for the treatment may be anywhere from 12 to 24 months, depending on which orthodontic treatments you are getting.

One point worth noting here is that adults often prefer Invisalign aligners for their convenience and comfort to wear all day for months on end. Of course, the fact that they are unobtrusive is a great advantage too. It’s one of the popular straight teeth solutions.

Adapting to the changes

With braces or aligners on, there are some changes that you will need to adapt to. The dentist will take you through oral care requirements now, but you need to put in a little bit of extra effort from your side. That’s because now there are more pockets where food or debris can get trapped in your mouth. Cleaning it out thoroughly is imperative.

Brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash as always, but with more diligence and as the dentist has told you. Since we have orthodontics for all ages, with kids, the parents will have to take over or oversee this aspect with care. You have to clean your teeth after you remove all the detachable parts of the orthodontic solutions you are using. Then these parts have to be cleaned thoroughly too.

Certain foods may not be recommended during this time, depending on the type of orthodontic treatment. For example, hard foods that can damage the braces or aligners are avoidable. Foods that can stay in between the gaps in the braces are also not a good idea. Stay away from sticky and chewy foods as well. If you cannot avoid all of these altogether, one good idea is to break or tear them into smaller pieces so your braces come through the meal unscathed.

Of course, diligently keeping your appointments with the dentist is on top of your priorities list, and so is going for dental cleaning regularly. It may seem to be too much effort, but you will see the transformation happening in your teeth, and your self-esteem will bloom dramatically with every passing week, making it all worthwhile.

Mild discomfort

The orthodontic treatment makes your teeth shift to the right position. During this process, you may feel some discomfort. This can be difficult to manage in the initial days of the treatment. You may need painkillers prescribed by the dentist. There are other various ways to deal with it as well, such as a warm water mouth rinse with a pinch of salt. Icing the spot or eating cold foods can be another simple relief method.

To ensure your aligners or braces are not put under more pressure that can cause you more discomfort, avoid hard foods. If your discomfort arises from the braces or aligners rubbing against sensitive parts of your mouth, dental wax can help. Ask your dentist about it.

Today, dentistry has evolved so much that we have orthodontics for all ages to restore straight teeth and a perfect smile. A little bit of patience and some extra care ensures that your orthodontic treatment yields the results you desire to perfection. As pointed out in the beginning, the journey is well worth it. Contact Woodlawn Orthodontics today for more information!