A regular visit to your friendly Port Orange orthodontist might seem like a tall order, especially for younger kids who aren’t used to it yet. But whether you’re young or young at heart, you’ll need to attend occasional follow up appointments after you get your braces!
The purpose of braces is to improve the alignment of teeth and to reduce gaps between them. Getting orthodontic care gives you a strong, healthy smile. It’s not solely cosmetic, although our patients often tell us that they feel more confident about the appearance of their teeth after treatment.
The biggest purpose of orthodontic care is to ensure your teeth are healthy for the long haul. Straighter teeth are stronger and less prone to chips, cracks, and other problems. The enormous bite force of the human jaw is distributed more evenly as you chew, protecting teeth from wearing down.
Earlier treatment tends to produce faster results, but it is truly never too late!
At Beauchamp Orthodontics, we know your time is valuable and you have a busy schedule. We want to be the Port Orange orthodontist you can trust with all your family’s care. So, we would never ask you to schedule appointments you don’t need! For braces, a regular follow-up is truly essential.
Let’s look at some of the most common questions about orthodontic appointments with braces:
1. How Long Will You Need to Wear Braces to Complete Treatment?
This is one of the most common questions we receive, and the answer differs for everyone. To know just how long your course of treatment might take, Dr. Beauchamp will look at detailed images of all of your teeth. Each person’s teeth and jaw respond to treatment a little bit differently, but we can estimate how long it may take to see results based on your age and the particular orthodontic concerns you have.
In general, younger patients see faster results. Sometimes, patients in their teens will not even need to use a retainer in the future, although most do. It’s not unheard of for young patients to be finished with braces within 6-8 months of their initial treatment. For adults in their 20s and later, treatment will vary and can last anywhere from eight months to two years. Ask Dr. Beauchamp for further details.
2. How Often Do You Need to See a Port Orange Orthodontist During Treatment?
Your regular orthodontist appointments can vary from about once a month, every six weeks, or once every two months. In general, patients need to be seen more often when they are new to the process.
Early on, it’s particularly important for Dr. Beauchamp to assess how your teeth and jaw respond to the braces. It may be necessary to make some early adjustments to ensure the gentle pressure your teeth need to move to the treated position is “just right” for you.
Dr. Beauchamp will let you know when it’s a wise idea to space your appointments out for a longer period of time. This usually happens later on in the course of treatment. As your teeth are constantly reacting to the braces, it’s vital not to let too long pass by between appointments.
3. What Happens During an Orthodontist Appointment with Braces?
Look for information online and you’ll probably hear that the appointment is for “tightening” the braces. It’s true that the braces get adjusted, but we’re not tightening them! During treatment, your teeth don’t change size, although they do (of course) change position.
The main purpose of the appointment is to make sure the wires continue to fit snugly into the brackets as the treatment proceeds. Maintaining the right level of tension on the wires is critical to making sure the treatment goes on as planned and you get the results you want at the expected time.
With that in mind, your follow-up appointments don’t necessarily take a long time. In most cases, it’ll be done within 30 minutes. Dr. Beauchamp has to take a look, make the necessary changes, and verify that your teeth are continuing to reposition. Any necessary fixes to the braces can also be done at this time.
4. What Happens if I Need to Reschedule a Follow-Up Appointment?
It’s a good idea to keep your originally scheduled appointment if you can. Naturally, life happens – and we’ll do everything we can to accommodate your needs. What will happen with your teeth during the delay? Assuming you don’t have to put off an appointment for weeks, there’s nothing to worry about.
As your teeth respond to treatment, adjusting the braces keeps everything in order so the teeth will continue to move. If adjustments aren’t made on schedule, it may take longer to get the results you want. That said, it will not do any harm to the teeth or gums if you need to wait a while. Braces have been used for many, many years and are 100% safe. Just be sure to brush and floss as always!
5. What if My Braces Break or I Experience Other Problems with Them?
Some common problems with braces can actually be fixed at home without having to visit a Port Orange orthodontist. Others are more serious and you should get in touch with the office for guidance. If you’re in discomfort or pain, be sure to reach out right away.
When braces are new, everyone has a brief period of adaptation. During this time, it’s not unusual at all to have some redness, tenderness, and potentially even a little swelling. If you have a reaction at first, it will usually be much better within two days, and completely resolved in five to seven days.
If adjusting to your new braces takes longer than this, or you have any other issues that worry you, be sure to give Dr. Beauchamp a call. Even if you can’t make it into the office, we can help with the advice and guidance you need to make an informed decision.
6. My Child Isn’t Excited About Visiting the Orthodontist. How Does Beauchamp Orthodontics Help?
With same-day braces, you can get braces on the same day as your initial appointment. This is super convenient, but it might leave kids confused sometimes – they don’t have quite as much time to get comfortable with their orthodontist. Luckily, Beauchamp Orthodontics is built on the idea of being a friendly and welcoming place for patients of all ages. We want your child to be comfortable!
We understand just how important it is to have a good relationship with the orthodontist, so we’ve made lots of improvements around the office to help. We know how to connect with kids, explaining things on their level without talking down to them.
On top of that, we have events and programs just for kids:
a. Children Can Personalize Their Braces with Colored Bands
Compared to clear plastic aligners, braces are usually the best option for younger patients. In fact, kids who don’t have all or most of their permanent teeth don’t qualify for aligners. But we want braces to be as exciting and fun as they can be, so we’re introducing them to the next generation with colored bands. Children can choose their favorite color so they will always see it every time they look at their braces.
We also offer clear braces, which offer a terrific balance of function and appearance. In fact, patients will enjoy the same results from their clear braces as they would from standard metal braces. They do require the same follow-up care, but they are much more subtle.
This is an appealing option for lots of young people!
Last but not least, we have smaller, more compact braces for many patients, including kids. These tend to be easier to keep clean and take care of. And if your child is a little bit self-conscious about the idea of braces (with or without colored bands) then this can really help.
b. All Kids Can Have a Fun Experience at the Orthodontists’ Office
One thing we love to do with all our younger patients is introduce them to the team and show them all around the office before treatment begins. But what about that time in the waiting room? It’s true you might be waiting a few minutes, and that time can seem like “forever” to younger children.
But it’s okay – we have a plan!
Our waiting room is stocked with all kinds of fun toys and games to help kids relax so they are in an even better mood when it’s time for their treatment. And once they see just how easy it is to get braces, they usually don’t worry about it anymore. Our team is there to help every step of the way.
c. The Fun Continues with Family-Friendly Social Media Contests and More
We love to keep the relationship going between visits. With your permission, of course, we’ll be glad to find fun surprises for your little one during and after appointments. That includes a special treat from Dr. Beauchamp’s prize bucket when each follow-up is done.
If you decide to follow our social media, you’ll find neat photo contests, trivia, and puzzles to keep kids engaged and remind them their orthodontist is rooting for their success. And they might just discover a memorable surprise in the mail for their birthday and other important events.
7. What Foods Are Off-Limits with Braces?
Hard foods like nuts and apples, tough foods like well-done steak, and sticky candy are all to be avoided while you have braces. Sometimes, whether a food is appropriate depends on how you prepare it. See our guide to eating with braces for specific advice.
If You’ve Been Waiting on Braces for Your Family, Now’s the Time to Get Started
No matter your age, braces are a lot easier than they look – and the effort is worth it.
Especially for kids, giving up their favorite candy while they wait for braces to work their magic can be tough. But in the end, it’s worth it. Getting braces sooner helps prevent all kinds of orthodontic issues later. It even makes it easier to keep teeth clean, which defends against other dental problems.
And it all starts in your neighborhood, at a Port Orange orthodontist you can trust.
Beauchamp Orthodontics is always welcoming new patients of any age. To get started, set your consultation. You choose the day and time, we’ll be there to help you get the smile you’ve always wanted. We look forward to helping you soon.
