October is National Orthodontic Health Month! Let’s celebrate by brushing up on these nearly 300-year-old contraptions and the most common aspects we tend to forget - children and adults alike. #1 - Waiting to Schedule Your First Orthodontic Visit
While it may seem a bit premature, it is recommended that a child’s first orthodontic visit takes place between 7 and 9 years old. There’s a lot an orthodontist can do to prevent larger issues - overbites, underbites, crossbites, and even tooth loss - if they are addressed at a younger age. Phase One treatment can be implemented to guide the jaw into the optimal position for future dental intervention and allow incoming teeth the space they need. The younger the mouth, the easier it is to change its course of formation before things get more permanent. Ultimately, that means less time spent in braces later on! #2 - Forgetting to Brush and Floss You knew this one was coming! We may sound like a broken record, but the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene practices after braces are on is crucial. We won't go into too much detail here because you already know the basics: brush twice a day minimum, two minutes each time, at 45 degree angle, not too much pressure, and don’t forget to brush your tongue! #3 - Not Using Elastics If your orthodontist tells you to keep your rubber bands in your mouth, then that’s where they should be at all times (except when you are eating or brushing your teeth). Braces do a lot of the heavy lifting, but elastics work in conjunction with them to keep slight pressure on your bite and encourage correct placement of the jaw. The idea is to keep that pressure constant, and those little rubber bands cause virtually no pain at all, so it’s easy to keep them in instead of taking the risk of taking them out and forgetting about them. #4 - Neglecting to Communicate with Your Orthodontist Having concerns about your braces? Think something’s not feeling quite right? Don’t be afraid to speak up! Your dentist and orthodontist should have a pretty open stream of communication, but it’s always good to keep all parties informed about what’s going on in your mouth. And don’t think the dialogue stops after the brackets come off - keeping your teeth nice and straight is a lifetime commitment! We’ll speak more to that end in Mistake #6. #5 - Consuming the Wrong Foods and Beverages Here are some of the worst foods you can eat during your time with braces: sticky foods like candy or gum, popcorn, pretzels, corn chips/hard taco shells, and hard candy or cookies. We get it, these can be hard to avoid for the typical 12 -20 months spent in braces, but it will be worth it to get them off sooner as a result of following your orthodontist’s dietary guidelines. And while you’re at it, try limiting these other cavity-causing culprits as well: sugary or acidic beverages, dried fruit, potato chips/fries, and chewy/sticky carbs in general. #6 -Tossing Your Retainer Aside or Failing to Replace It One of the most unfortunate mistakes patients make is leaving their retainers in the dust and thinking that once they’ve gone through the entire process of braces, they’ve done their time. But here’s a secret - the process doesn’t really end at all! Orthodontic work gets the jaw lined up in a relatively short amount of time, and if it doesn’t have something there to keep it in line, it won't hesitate to revert the teeth back to their original positions. So, while it may be difficult to bring yourself to wear yet another appliance, that first year after braces is instrumental in retaining your smile. Beyond that, the retainer should still be worn at night and replaced periodically depending on its condition. When you think about it, that’s a small trade-off for the lifelong smile you’ll get to show off! #7 - Hiding Your Smile If you ever catch yourself holding back from smiling due to the metal in your mouth, just remember, it’s a work in progress! Your teeth are well on their way to being at their best. Plus, around 4 million Americans are wearing braces at this very moment (25% of which are adults), so you’re not alone. Just think about how great your smile will be in a few short months and embrace where they’re at now by caring for them in the best possible way. Your future self will thank you! Learn more about our orthodontic options!
13 Comments
10/8/2020 11:30:34 am
Thanks for explaining how your dentist and orthodontist should have open communication. My dad told me that I should see an orthodontist for my jaw problem. I'll find a dentist firsthand then have them direct me to the right place.
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10/14/2020 02:15:55 am
Wow, I didn't know that tacos is also considered a kind of hard food that should be avoided when wearing braces. I think it's about time that I get my daughter to visit a dentist in order to get the alignment of her teeth fixed. She gets a bit insecure about them when showing up for online classes lately.
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1/28/2021 02:19:11 pm
I like the idea of having an open stream of communication with your dentist. Too many people aren't open with their dentists. That is the kind of communication that I expect with anyone who is in charge of my health.
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3/28/2023 04:41:34 am
I like how you mentioned that the elastic material would provide support for your braces. Yesterday, my younger sister mentioned that she wanted to have a brace to achieve her ideal smile without discomfort. She asked if I had any idea what would be the best option for her. Thanks to this informative article, I'll be sure to tell her that it will be much better if she consults trusted pediatric orthodontics as they can provide information about the process.
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5/1/2023 04:50:41 am
It made sense when you mentioned that orthodontics can correct your teeth alignment. My friend wants to get a brace. I should advise him to see an orthodontist for proper treatment.
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8/22/2023 02:58:06 pm
The idea is to keep that pressure constant, and those little rubber bands cause virtually no pain at all, so its easy to keep them in instead of taking the risk of taking them out and forgetting about them. Thank you for the beautiful post!
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Your article covers important aspects of orthodontics comprehensively. It's helpful how you've highlighted the significance of orthodontic treatment beyond aesthetics, emphasizing its role in improving oral health and overall well-being. Your insights into common orthodontic issues and treatment options provide valuable information for anyone considering braces or aligners. As someone interested in dental health, I appreciate the emphasis on personalized care and patient education. Looking forward to more informative articles that empower patients in their orthodontic journey!
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9/10/2024 01:15:59 am
Fantastic post on orthodontics! The comprehensive overview of what to expect and key considerations is incredibly useful. I particularly appreciated the clear explanations of different treatment options and the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment. This is a great resource for anyone looking to better understand orthodontics and its benefits. Thanks for sharing such valuable information!
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