Tips to Ensure Your Orthodontic Treatment is on Track

Austin, TX – Your orthodontic success depends on a few things. First, your orthodontist – their skill and knowledge, along with the types of treatments and technologies offered, will play a big factor in your treatment and treatment length. Next is you – how your mouth responds to treatment is a mystery until the braces are actually placed.

No two patients are the same; however, there are some ways you can help to accelerate your treatment. What can you do to ensure your treatment stays on track?

1. Keep all of your scheduled appointments. Your orthodontist needs to make important adjustments to your wires, and needs to ensure that treatment is progressing as it should, so these regular appointments are important. If your mouth isn’t responding well to the treatment, your orthodontist can make any adjustments necessary before it has a chance to significantly impact your treatment. Failing to keep your appointments could prolong your treatment time.
2. Avoid damaging your braces. If you play sports, even non-contact sports, it is important to wear a mouthguard. This will ensure your braces and your mouth don’t get hurt should you take a blow to your face. Additionally, avoid all of the foods on the do not eat list. That means saying no to anything too hard, sticky or chewy, and cutting foods up into bite sized pieces to make them easier to eat without damaging your brackets or wires.
3. Let your orthodontist know if your braces have been damaged. In most cases, damage to your braces isn’t an emergency. But if you have issues with your brackets or wires, it is important to let your orthodontist know so that we can keep your treatment on track.
4. Take proper care of your teeth. It can be harder to properly clean your teeth while in braces, but it is very important to brush and floss regularly while in braces. Cavities and gum disease can prolong your treatment, so maintain your regular dentist appointments and pay close attention to your oral hygiene.
5. Follow all instructions provided by your orthodontist. If your orthodontist has recommended wearing elastics or headgear, it is important to wear them exactly as your orthodontist described. These play an important role in your treatment as they will help ensure you have a healthy, properly functioning bite.
6. If you wear Invisalign, be sure you wear the aligners as directed by your orthodontist. To be effective, aligners must be worn at least 22 hours a day and aligner sets should be switched out approximately every 7-14 days for the next set in your series. Do not wear a set of aligners for a longer or shorter time frame than told by your orthodontist.

Orthodontic treatment may seem like it takes a long time, but if you listen carefully to your orthodontist and do your part, your treatment can go by in a breeze and before you know it, you’ll be showing off a new straight smile.

If you have questions about orthodontic treatment or if you are ready to give yourself the gift of a better smile, call Pure Smiles Orthodontics today at 512-215-2520.