Braces transform your smile and enhance your confidence, but they require a commitment of your time and your pocketbook. Typically, people wear braces from anywhere between one to three years, and they can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $7,000 depending on your location and the orthodontist you choose. With that in mind, you’ll want to make sure that you get everything that you need and more out of your braces! Braces are the most common solution to enhancing and perfecting one’s smile, with 50-75% of people potentially benefiting from this treatment, yet many active braces users wind up adding additional time and cost to their treatment because they aren’t adequately caring for them. With that in mind, let’s look into how you can get the most out of your braces, and end up with the best possible results!
1. Avoid Certain Foods
When you first receive your braces, you’ll most likely receive a list of foods that you should try to avoid during treatment from your orthodontics office. Follow this list carefully, and don’t cheat- even if it’s Halloween! Usually, the foods that are advised against could compromise or break your brackets, causing orthodontic issues and disruption to your treatment. Foods you generally want to avoid during treatment include gum, popcorn, pasta, anything overly hard or sticky, and foods that could easily get caught in your braces. Not only is food getting caught in your braces not a great look, it could also cause bacteria to form on your teeth.
2. Practice Good Oral Hygiene
You may have to take some extra steps in terms of oral hygiene while wearing braces, but it will all be worth it in the end. Brush your teeth after every time that you eat, floss regularly, and use mouthwash. The last thing you want is bracket stains; these are white stains that appear on your teeth when the brackets keep some spaces clean, while the visible parts of your teeth are not properly cared for.
3. Ask Questions
Your orthodontist is specially trained to answer your questions, and they are more than happy to do so- there truly is no such thing as a stupid question, especially when it comes to your health! If you feel like your braces are uncomfortable or if anything feels like it’s poking out or irritating your mouth, ask your orthodontist to check them and see if they need to be adjusted. If you’re worried about eating a certain food that wasn’t on your list, ask your orthodontist about it. They’ve been in the same shoes that you’re in now, and they have seen it ALL!
4. Go To Every Appointment
Don’t skip appointments, and don’t delay them if you can avoid it. These appointments are for adjustments, and without adjustments, your treatment time will extend- and no one wants that! The faster you conclude your treatment, the faster you can rock a confident smile while eating ALL of the foods you love again!
Take your braces seriously. We guarantee you will LOVE the results! Ready to get to work on transforming your smile?! Give us a call today to get your FREE Smile Consult with Dr. Little on the books!
