Download
1 / 14
140 likes | 324 Views
Orthodontic braces are used to fix the problem of misaligned and crooked teeth. Get in touch with Randall Meadows Dental Center for a better solution to straighten your teeth in Elgin. We are a team of highly qualified and experienced dentists.
E N D
Orthodontic braces are the optimal solution for crooked teeth. Braces are provided by a type of dentist called an orthodontist, who specializes in this particular field of cosmetic dental intervention for crooked teeth. Most candidates for braces are usually kids ranging from 8 to 10 years and adolescents ranging from 11-14 years of age.
The CDA suggests that starting the braces at an early stage of development produces the best results, and first-time orthodontic consultations can happen as early as age 7. Many parents choose to have their children consulted by an orthodontist before their teenage years,
because the end-result of braces can positively affect a young person’s confidence and self-esteem. But as the CDA says, there is no right age to get dental braces. If you become a candidate for braces, expect to have them for a time period of 18 months to 2 years.
When researching local orthodontists, also make sure your desired orthodontist offers braces for kids and adults, since many orthodontists don’t handle both cases. For your first orthodontic consultation, expect to discuss your dental history and to have your teeth x-rayed.
This will help your orthodontist determine whether your case is serious enough to require you to wear dental braces. Here are three tips on how you can expect to maintain your braces, once you get them:
1. Follow your orthodontist’s instructions. Your orthodontist might give you some instructions, for example, such as placing rubber bands on your braces. It’s important to follow your orthodontist’s instructions carefully to achieve the desired end-result of straight teeth.
2. Avoid foods that can loosen or break your braces. While you’re wearing braces, most foods can still be eaten with no problems. But with some foods, you may need to cut them into small bits so that it can be easily chewed.
Be wary of foods that can damage your braces, such as apples, bagels, hard-to-bite foods, chewy foods like caramel, chewing gums, corn on the cob, popcorn, nuts, etc. Foods like apples and corn can still be eaten, but as a precaution, cut the corn off the cob, and slice the apple from the core, before consuming.
3. Remember to floss and brush. Just like your normal routine before having braces, you still need to brush and floss in order to maintain your dental health. However, your dental hygienic routine will be different with braces. When brushing, use a soft toothbrush to avoid damaging the braces.
Brush down from the top and up from the bottom. It is also recommended that you brush your teeth with a specially designed proxabrush or a “Christmas tree” brush, specially for braces. Repeat the procedure of brushing on each tooth.
To floss your teeth when you have braces, you first feed the end of a piece of floss through the space in between the arch wire and the upper portion of tooth closest to your gum area. Next, gently saw the floss to remove food traces and plaque from between your teeth.
Then go on to the next tooth until all your teeth are flossed. It’ll take longer to floss than it did before you got braces, but be sure to floss regularly for your gums’ sake and also for your overall well-being.
Maintaining your braces will take some time and effort, but it will be well worth it down the road when you’re beaming with confidence from a straight smile. Don’t feel like you have to live with crooked teeth! Come visit your local orthodontist. http://theelgindentist.com/
