Your first impression is your smile. The reasons for braces and orthodontic treatment vary from patient to patient. Whether you’re an adult or teenager, now is the time to make it even better. Here at New Age Dental, we have an extensive and specialist knowledge of orthodontics in Tijuana. Here are a few pointers to bare in mind before undergoing treatment.
1. There is absolutely no age limit for orthodontic treatment
Usually when people think of braces, the first thing that usually comes to mind is a teenager with a mouthful of metal. But these days an increasing amount of adults are getting braces.
2. Make sure you choose the right brace
Take careful consideration into the type of brace you wish to have for your orthodontic treatment. Ask yourself this… what would I feel most comfortable with?
For example, you may find Invisalign to be the best choice, as you attend many social events and you love the idea that you can remove the brace. Lifestyle factors are usually a good basis to work from, as you need whatever brace you choose to easily fit into your day-to-day life.
3. Take good care of your teeth
You must ensure that you keep your mouth and teeth as healthy as possible. You may find with fixed braces there are more crevices for food to get stuck in, which could lead to a build-up of cavity causing bad bacteria. To address this problem make sure you floss regularly, and spend slightly longer brushing so you can reach those tricky areas. It’s also important to avoid eating any sticky or tough foods, as these can damage your braces and easily become lodged in the brackets.
4. You will need to wear retainers afterwards
Most people just assume that once their braces are off, that their orthodontic journey is over. But if you want to keep that perfectly straight smile, you will need to wear a retainer at night time to stop your teeth from drifting back into their original position.
5. Braces HURT
This is probably what everyone should know. Before the entire process of placing the braces on, you’ll feel with excitement on what the future holds for you. And images like this will be plastered in your mind: Since impressive smiles are vital, you really need to craft an amazing smile of your own. And if you do, that’s apparently good for you. In case you’re interested in getting the best dental braces your Tijuana dentist will certainly perform an exceptional smile makeover for you.
6. Your diet may need to change
Protect your investment by sticking to the right foods while you wear braces.This is likely going to be the hardest for people who are food lovers.
You’ll get used to eating with braces after a while, however there are foods which you would need to avoid.
- Chewy foods: bagels, licorice.
- Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
- Sticky foods: dodol, caramels, gum, taffy
- Hard foods: nuts, candy, raw carrots
- Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, guava, chocolate bars straight from the fridge.
- Chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces.
This is to also avoid people from breaking their brackets/damaging their braces, which would delay the entire treatment process.
Eg. Ah Meng is supposed to wear braces for a year and a half, but because he breaks his bracket almost every month, he needs to wear it for more than 2 years.
Then again, it’s not the end of the world because there are many soft foods that people with braces are still able to eat. Not to mention, delicious soft food.
7. Take the time to keep your braces clean
Keeping your braces clean is essential for a smooth and comfortable treatment. If you neglect your oral hygiene, food can get trapped in the brackets and cause bad breath or even tooth decay.
Braces require dedication, you need to brush your teeth after every meal or snack. This is so you can protect your teeth from plaque attacking it. When I say brush, I really mean brushing your teeth until it is clean. You will need to be extremely thorough when it comes to cleaning. Thus, a travelling toothbrush might be necessary.
You have to brush at all angles, even at the top and bottom of your gum, which might cause it to bleed abit occasionally.
8. Loose brackets can happen
Braces can loosen due to a number of reasons, including eating something hard, chewing on your nails or a pen, or a change in your bite as a result of the treatment. When this happens, it’s best to consult with your orthodontist immediately. Depending on the severity, your orthodontist may wait to see you until your next appointment or ask that you schedule an appointment right away.
9. BE PATIENT
Lastly, the process of braces can be uncomfortable at times. It’s important to remain positive, stick to the guidelines provided by your orthodontist and maintain a proper cleaning routine. When the braces come off and you see your new smile, all of it will be well worth it.
New Age Dental and his team strive to make every step of the process simple, easy and as comfortable as possible. Schedule your consultation today to learn more about orthodontics and get any of your specific questions answered.
BEST OF ALL …
We look forward to helping you get the confident, beautiful smile you want.
