WHAT IS ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT?
Orthodontic treatment (dental braces): It is basically the use of devices to move teeth or adjust the underlying bone. Teeth can be moved either by removable appliances or fixed braces.
AT WHAT AGE ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT SHOULD BE DONE?
The ideal age for starting the orthodontic treatment is between 8 years to 14 years while growth is still occurring. An evaluation of orthodontic treatment is recommended by the age of 7 years.
WILL BRACES LOOK GOOD? HOW TO MAKE THEM LESS NOTICEABLE?
There are few easy ways to make your braces a little less noticeable:
Ceramic braces- these are the same size and shape as the metal braces, except they are tooth colored or clear braces that blend into teeth. Some even use tooth-colored wires to be even less noticeable.
Best way to hide your braces is to choose a nearly invisible alternative, Aligners. They’re colorless, blend in with your teeth.
Practice good oral hygiene: oral hygiene isn’t just necessary to keep you and your mouth healthy but it’s also the best way to keep braces on the down low. Clean braces are healthy braces.
Pick the right color: with braces, there are a wide variety of color options for your bands! Like blue is a good, neutral choice and goes great with blue eyes. Pink and orange are also good choices. Basically, choose any color that helps your teeth stand out in the right way.
Own it: most importantly, try to not feel self-conscious and remember you don’t have to wear braces forever.
WHAT ALL PROBLEMS CAN OCCUR WHILE EATING? WHAT ALL PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE?
You’ll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you’re wearing braces. The first thing you must learn to do is to cut up your food into small pieces and use your back teeth for chewing.
Foods to avoid with braces:-
Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice
Sticky foods: caramels, gums
Sugary foods: candy
Foods you have to bite into corn on the cob, apples, carrots.
Chewing on hard things (for example Pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces.
CAN IRRITATION AND SORENESS OCCUR RELATED TO BRACES?
When you get your braces, your teeth may be tender to biting pressures for 3-5 days. Take whatever you normally take for headache or discomfort. The lips, cheeks, and tongue may also become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed to the braces. Orthodontic wax will be supplied to put on the braces in the irritated areas to lessen the discomfort.
FOR HOW LONG, BRACES HAVE TO BE WORN?
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE AFTER THAT?
The time required for braces varies person to person, depending on the severity of the problem; the amount of room available; the distance the teeth must travel; the health of teeth, gums, and supporting tissue; and how closely the patient follows instruction. Generally, braces have to be worn roughly 18 months to 2 full years. There are some cases when braces need to stay on longer. Likewise, there are cases where people need to wear braces for shorter terms.
After the completion of active treatment, the retention period is required to retain the changes that have been brought about by active treatment. For this purpose, retainers are given. A retainer is a custom made, removable or fixed appliance that helps teeth maintain their new position after braces have been removed. They are typically made of rubber or clear plastic and metal wires that cover the outside surface of the teeth, need to be worn all the time for the next 6 months and then usually only during sleep.
