Brace yourself! You’re in your orthodontic era — and you might already be ready to be in your straight teeth era. But, have patience, because the end goal will be so worth it! 

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

To help you along the way, we’ve put together a list of our top six tips to help make the process as smooth and successful as possible from start to finish — no matter if you have traditional metal braces, clear aligners, or another corrective appliance.

1. Determine the Best Treatment Plan

Crooked teeth? Overbite or underbite? No problem! Orthodontic dentistry is here to the rescue, as you are evaluating your first steps to a perfect-for-you-smile. With advances in the industry, orthodontic treatment is faster, more comfortable, and more effective than it has ever been before. 

Together, with your dental professional, you’ll be able to determine what type of orthodontic treatment works best for you, your budget, and your lifestyle. There are multiple options, from traditional metal braces which are often better suited to kids, to clear, removable aligners, which are a favorite for working adults since they are nearly invisible.

2. Brush and Floss Regularly

While this goes without saying, good oral hygiene is key for anyone — especially if you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. Traditional metal braces and other orthodontic appliances can often 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 very diligent about brushing and flossing your teeth — preferably after every meal, but at minimum, twice a day.

You may want to highly consider 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.

3. Avoid Sticky and Chewy Foods

While sticky foods like caramels and taffy — and everyone’s favorite: gummy candies — might be your go-to treat, they’re a nemesis for your metal braces. They easily get stuck on braces, making it even more of a challenge to clean your teeth properly — and they can even damage your brackets or bend wires. The same goes for chewy or hard foods like thick pizza crust, beef jerky, hard candy, and ice cubes.

4. Be Consistent

If your orthodontic treatment includes clear aligners like ClearCorrect or Invisalign, consistency is going to be critical for you. That means continually wearing your aligners for about 20 to 22 hours a day, in accordance with your orthodontist’s instructions.

It can be tempting to leave them out — or just take a day off — but this will most certainly delay your progress and create challenges in your treatment plan.

5. Don’t Skip Your Appointments

This is not the time to skip class — a.k.a. your orthodontist appointments! Keeping your regular check-ups on the books is essential for the best possible smile outcome. While it may seem like it’s not a big deal to miss one or reschedule it for later, this can also impact the progress of your treatment plan. 

6. Wear Your Retainer

You’ve put in all the hard work of wearing braces — and the day those braces come off or you wear your last set of aligners might feel like a party! It’s definitely a reason to smile big, but while the hard part is over, your orthodontic dentistry journey doesn’t quite end there.

Retainers are a very important party favor you need to take home to keep up the appearance of your beautiful smile. No matter what type of orthodontic work you’ve had, this custom-made oral appliance is almost always necessary to maintain the alignment of your newly straightened teeth.

___

Orthodontics is an effective way to improve the aesthetics of your smile, but this type of treatment can also be very beneficial for your overall oral health and function. Correctly aligned teeth are generally at a lower risk for dental problems, such as tooth decay and gum disease. 

Want to explore options for starting your own orthodontic journey? Schedule a consultation today.