If braces or another form of orthodontics is in your future, we have good news. Orthodontic treatments are faster, more comfortable, and more effective than ever before — making it a great time to straighten up that smile.

While many patients think of orthodontics as only improving the aesthetics of their smiles, orthodontic treatment is often very beneficial to overall oral health and function, too. Correctly aligned teeth are generally at a lower risk for dental problems, such as tooth decay and gum disease. Orthodontics can also make it easier to chew, eat, and speak properly.

If you’re preparing for any upcoming orthodontic treatment — whether that’s traditional metal braces, clear aligners, or another corrective appliance — here are three easy ways you can set your smile up for success.

1. Get a Comprehensive Dental Cleaning and Exam

You want your teeth to be in the best possible shape before launching into your orthodontics journey.

At SMILE! Advanced Dental Center in Summerville, SC, we advise our patients to be up to date on their six-month dental cleaning and exams, before beginning any orthodontic treatment. Not only do you want your teeth to be as clean as possible before the braces come on, but you also want to ensure you don’t have any tooth decay, cavities, or gum disease that should be addressed.

It’s also important to continue your biannual routine cleanings and exams while in braces or clear aligners, so your oral health stays on point as your smile gets perfected.

2. Update Your Grocery Haul

When first getting metal braces or another orthodontic treatment, you may have to make some adjustments to your grocery list — especially when experiencing some temporary soreness from the movement of your teeth.

Stock up on soft, easy-to-eat foods like yogurt, soups, well-steamed potatoes and veggies, scrambled eggs, and soft fruits like bananas. You’ll be able to eat more normally after the first few days of soreness, but you’ll still want to always stay away from sticky foods like gummy candies, caramels, and taffy as well as extra-chewy or hard foods like thick pizza crust, popcorn, beef jerky, hard candy, and ice cubes.

These sticky and hard foods not only can dislodge or damage the wires of your braces or other orthodontic appliances, but they also get stuck in wires and more and amplify

3. Rethink Your Oral Care Routine

Good oral hygiene is more important than ever as you embark on your orthodontic treatment — and you may need to rethink how you approach oral care in this season. That’s because traditional metal braces and other orthodontic appliances can create nooks and crannies that trap food particles and bacteria, leading to a higher risk of plaque buildup and gum disease.

So, it’s important to be more diligent about brushing and flossing your teeth — preferably after every meal or snack. You may want to consider investing in an electric toothbrush and water flosser if you have metal braces or appliances to help you clean your teeth most easily and effectively. Rinsing your mouth daily with mouthwash is another great safeguard against harmful bacteria.

In addition, you’ll want to make sure you have orthodontic wax on hand — in case some brackets and wires are initially bothersome or irritating to the inside of your mouth or gums. This soft dental wax helps create a barrier to help minimize any discomfort.

Take the Next Step for Your Smile

At SMILE! Advanced Dental Center in Summerville, SC, we love guiding our patients through the orthodontic dentistry and braces journey, because it’s so rewarding to see the results. 

For anyone embarking on orthodontic treatment: Remember, it will be so worth it! 

Want to explore orthodontics as an option for making your smile the best it can be? Schedule a consultation today.