How to get the best results from your braces treatment

There are all kinds of reasons why you may be considering braces. Whether you’ve noticed a dip in your confidence level because of your smile, or you want your teeth straightening for medical reasons, taking the plunge and opting to get braces can provide invaluable benefits for your health and wellbeing. If you have crooked or misaligned teeth, this may make it harder to follow a good oral hygiene routine. And if you are not careful, you could end up developing periodontitis and lose teeth.

There are thousands of adults in the UK who get braces and end up with straighter, cleaner, and healthier teeth. If you want to add to that statistic, there are several things you need to know and do during your course of treatment to get the best results possible.

Practice Excellent Oral Hygiene

From an early age, you would have been taught the importance of brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing. Good oral hygiene can benefit your health in numerous ways, such as by preventing bad breath, reducing your risk of gum disease, and decreasing the risk of tooth decay. A healthy mouth can also help you fight against medical conditions. To keep your teeth and gums in excellent condition, you should invest in an electric toothbrush that works harder than a manual one. If you are looking for professional dental advice and care, you can always rely on Durham Dentists up in the North East of England.

If you have started braces treatment, it’s more important than ever to get into the habit of brushing and flossing regularly. Depending on the braces you pick, the foods you eat can get trapped in them and result in bacteria and plaque that can be damaging to your teeth in the long run. The sole purpose of braces is to keep your teeth straight and healthy looking. So, you need to ensure you keep your teeth and gums clean. If you have removable braces, make sure you take them out to brush and floss before putting them back in. It can be easy to fall behind on your oral hygiene routine. So, make sure you set yourself constant reminders.

Avoid Certain Foods

Following a balanced diet is key for good health and your wellbeing. From childhood, you may also have been taught the importance of eating your five a day, and ensuring you get the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables on your plate. When it comes to keeping your teeth and gums healthy, bad foods full of fat, sugar, and salt can wreak havoc in your mouth and increase your risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss. Once you start your braces treatment, you need to be aware that there are certain foods that are best avoided.

Any foods that are hard and sticky can linger in your mouth and could cause your braces to break, which could prolong treatment and may affect the final outcome. Sticky, gooey foods can result in your orthodontic bands becoming loose, not to mention the fact that this can cause cavities due to the sugary content found in such foods. Any hard foods like ice or nuts will potentially break your braces. While it can be hard to say goodbye to some of the foods you love, your treatment won’t last forever. And you will be thankful once you have them taken off to see perfectly aligned teeth behind them.

Keep Your Appointments

For your braces treatment to run according to plan, you must keep up with your orthodontist appointments. If you fail to do so, you run the risk of your treatment being extended, as well as having to pay more to get the results you want. You need to choose an orthodontist who has your best interests at heart and who can work with you to get perfectly aligned teeth.

If you’re not happy with your service, you may be able to go elsewhere for your braces treatment. You can see your options explained here on Straight My Teeth. They also answer important questions such as, ‘how much do braces cost UK?’ which will give you a better idea of whether you can realistically afford treatment. While Straight My Teeth have only been operating for a number of years, they have restored thousands of patients’ confidence and given them healthy, straight, and brighter teeth. To improve your smile, Straight My Teeth also offer teeth whitening which can maximize results.

See Your Dentist Regularly

In addition to seeing your orthodontist, you must keep up with your dental appointments too. Both work together to help keep your teeth and gums healthy. So, make sure you keep up with your visits, otherwise your treatment could go on longer than anticipated. If you need your teeth cleaning, or there are other concerns that need to be addressed, your dentist will be able to help you during your course of treatment.

Just like with your orthodontist, if you aren’t happy with your current dentist, you’re able to go elsewhere. Your dentist should put you at ease from the minute you step into the clinic, otherwise you may develop a fear of the dentist which can only be harmful for your health and wellbeing in the future.

Ask Questions

When getting braces, there will be numerous questions that you may want addressed. Whether it’s what kind of brace is right for your teeth and gums, how much the brace cost UK based is, or how much experience the orthodontist has, you need to find a provider that you feel in safe hands with. Any questions should be outlined in your free consultation, otherwise you may have to pay a fee for another one.

Your orthodontist’s job is to put your mind at ease from the beginning and guide you through the process in easy to follow terms so you have a good idea of what to expect from your braces treatment. Before making your mind up, it’s best to look at a few orthodontists in your area and check out testimonials from past patients to build a better picture of whether they’re suitable for your needs.

Think of the End Result

During your braces treatment, there may come a time where all you want to do is take them out and go back to your old ways. However, doing so will hinder your treatment and you may find all your money and patience goes to waste. If you feel self-conscious about your appearance and smile, wearing braces out and about may fill you with dread. But you need to remember the reasons why you’re doing it and how your teeth will look once your treatment is finished.

The vast majority of people who have had braces notice a huge boost in their confidence and self-esteem, which can help you in all aspects of your life. So, whether you’re on the lookout for love, going for a job interview, or want to climb the career ladder, straight teeth and a glowing smile can show that you mean business and improve relationships both on a personal and professional level.

While many people have little to no problems with their braces, others experience mild discomfort and pain. To get the best results from your braces, make sure to follow the advice above and incorporate it into your day to day life. Regardless of what kind of brace you pick and the duration, make sure you follow your dentist’s and orthodontist’s guidance for success.