When it comes to orthodontic treatment, more people opt for conventional braces than any other solution. No matter if you choose metal braces or clear braces, you’re taking an approach that can resolve more orthodontic problems than any alternative. The most severe tooth gaps and misalignment can only be treated by braces.
Orthodontic treatment is great for your health for a variety of reasons. When your teeth are straight and fully aligned, you can clean them more easily and avoid cavities. Plus, you won’t have to worry about teeth wearing down too quickly because of having the force of your bite distributed unevenly.
Perhaps most important for many of our patients is the confidence you can enjoy after braces.
When you complete your treatment with braces, you end up with straight teeth and a beautiful smile!
Anyone can benefit from braces, even if you’ve had life-long orthodontic issues that have never been treated in the past. While kids do see the fastest results, nearly any adult orthodontic concern can be 100% resolved. You can see the difference in the mirror as the weeks and months go by.
While younger patients might be done with their full course of treatment in a year or even a little sooner, an adult can achieve full results with a little more time and patience. No matter your age, though, you’ll find it’s easier to maintain your smile if you follow the right protocol after braces removal.
Dr. Beauchamp Will Help You Develop a Plan to Maintain Your Bright Smile
When you’ve got braces, your family orthodontist is your biggest ally.
Throughout treatment, you’ve met up with your favorite Port Orange orthodontist to check up on progress and make sure everything is going smoothly. But did you know that Dr. Beauchamp can continue to help after your treatment is over? It’s true! One of the biggest ways is by helping you maintain your gains from treatment.
Don’t worry – once you have your braces removed, you shouldn’t ever have to use them again.
But there are some things you can do to keep your teeth looking their best over time.
At the end of your braces removal appointment, Dr. Beauchamp will go over everything you need to know in the future. You won’t need any additional follow-up appointments unless you have questions or concerns.
While every case is a little bit different, these habits will definitely help:
1. Wearing Removable Retainers
Most patients will require retainers after braces removal. Retainers ensure long-term results from orthodontic treatment by keeping your teeth from “migrating” back to the position they started in. Retainers are removable and are usually provided in a set, one for the lower teeth and one for the upper teeth.
2. Taking Care of Your Retainers
At Beauchamp Orthodontics, we prefer removable retainers for several reasons. First, they’re more convenient for you. Second, they’re easier for you to clean and take care of. You can remove them for a thorough cleaning or even soak them. Keeping retainers clean and in good condition ensures a terrific outcome.
3. Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene
After braces removal, most patients will not need full-scale orthodontic treatment again. But one thing they’ll definitely need is continuing oral hygiene. Brush at least twice every day, and preferably right after each meal. And don’t forget to floss at least once a day before bed. Using fluoridated mouthwash once a day can also help.
Annual dental checkups are key with professional dental cleaning. While flossing will eliminate the majority of plaque build-up between the teeth, some build-up is inevitable. It has to be removed to protect the enamel. Luckily, straighter teeth are less prone to build-up in the most vulnerable areas. Your dentist is also likely to help keep you accountable as they can usually spot the tell-tale signs of you not wearing your retainer – shifting teeth!
4. Watching What You Eat for Your Dental Health
Last but certainly not least, it’s still important to keep an eye on your eating after orthodontic treatment. Why? Many foods that are off-limits with braces can still pose challenges after braces removal. That includes extra sticky treats: toffee that can get stuck between teeth or caramel apples that can cause chips or cracks, for example.
All in all, be leery of super hard or sticky foods that could cause long-term damage to teeth. You can enjoy these in moderation, but you should always take care while you do it. It only takes one big chomp on improperly prepared food or treats to damage your enamel. And once tooth enamel is damaged, you have a much bigger problem!
Need to know more about orthodontic treatment or life after braces? Schedule a consultation with Beauchamp Orthodontics today to find out more or get started.
