Your new smile is on the horizon, which means understanding the ins and outs of your treatment is more crucial than ever. With over 50 years of experience, our team has gathered some essential tips to ensure your treatment is a breeze so we can help you keep your appliance sparkling. Keep reading to learn how to get the most out of your orthodontic treatment.
Listen to Instructions
Getting that shiny new smile can sometimes be a bumpy ride, but trust us; it’s worth it. Not keeping to your orthodontist’s instructions can bring on problems, from broken wires and popped-off brackets to cavities and gum disease, but trusting your orthodontist will take the guesswork out of your treatment plan.
Whether you have regular braces or Invisalign aligners, you’ll have a tailor-made treatment plan. Remembering which rules to follow, such as keeping up with your dietary restrictions, showing up for your appointments, and maintaining a top-notch oral hygiene routine, ensures you’re on track. We’ll provide all the information you need to help you stay active and comfortable during your treatment. Remember, we give you the plan, but it’s up to you to make it happen. If at any time you have any questions or concerns, we highly encourage you to discuss them with your orthodontist. After all, honesty is the best policy!
Follow Dietary Restrictions
New appliances mean new rules, especially when it comes to what you eat and drink. The goal is to protect any new devices you have, which means you’ll have to block off some potential favorite snacks, but don’t worry; it’s not forever!
- Hard & Crunchy: Some braces, like ceramic braces, can be particularly fragile. To make sure your wires and brackets stay safe, you should be careful when biting into hard foods like ice, pretzels, or apples.
- Sticky and Acidic: It’s a typical rule to avoid caramel treats or gum, but there are other sticky or acidic foods to avoid. Sticky foods can pull all-important pieces out of place, which could require an emergency visit back to your orthodontist. But that’s not all; acidic foods and drinks like pineapple or soda can attack the enamel on your teeth, paving the way for cavities.
- Sugars and Starch: Food and drinks with high sugar content or heavy starch can create plaque buildup around braces. Plaque can produce stains on teeth, cavities, and gum disease.
No one likes changing their diets, but when it comes to crafting your perfect smile, cutting out some key foods and drinks can make all the difference.
Stay On Top Of Your Orthodontic Appointments
Don’t let a single appointment get lost in your busy schedule. Our goal is to make sure your treatment is as effective as possible. However, missing an appointment can prolong your treatment and can even harm your results. You want the best for your smile, and we want to help you achieve it, so keeping on track with your appointments is critical for your orthodontic success.
Routine appointments ensure your treatment stays on course, allowing your orthodontist to check and analyze your teeth’s progress. Regular office visits permit us to make any tweaks to your treatment, answer any questions you might have, and double-check that you’re following your plan.
Depending on your plan, you can expect the following at each appointment:
- We will tighten the wires around your braces, keeping your progress on track.
- We will provide you with a new set of aligners as your teeth shift between appointments.
- We will replace your elastic bands as the old ones lose their effectiveness.
Prioritize Oral Hygiene For A Healthy Smile
New braces are a notable milestone, but the journey to a glowing smile is just beginning. Although you’ve been brushing your teeth since you were young, cleaning new dental appliances is a whole new game. Your new appliance comes with new rules to follow, and we’ve broken them down to help you take care of your braces or clear aligners.
Braces
Regular brushing and flossing will help prevent the staining of your teeth from braces and plaque formation. Depending on what your orthodontist recommends, adding an interdental toothbrush, using a floss threader, or even rinsing your mouth out with water after a meal can help loosen and clean debris in hard-to-reach places. Plus, staying on top of your oral hygiene can help you avoid common dental issues that can delay your treatment.
Invisalign
Just like braces, making sure to brush and floss your teeth makes all the difference. Unlike braces, removing your aligner opens new doorways for bacteria and plaque buildup. Brushing and cleaning your aligners keeps them in top shape so that you can use them more safely for an extended period. Remember, after removing your aligners to eat or drink, cleaning your teeth before putting them back in is imperative to the success of your treatment plan.
Your New Smile Is On The Horizon
Our team at Szymanowski Orthodontics is determined to make your dream smile a reality. If you still have questions, give us a call or stop by our office in Sacramento. Dr. Damon and our professionals are ready to help. If you’re ready to make the jump to a new smile, schedule here for your free consultation.
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Dr. Szymanowski