 Orthodontic treatment will last from 18 months to three years. Any normal person is bound to crave a chocolatey caramel bar or sugar fix during treatment. Don't give in; sugary treats will compromise your progress and they are never good for your teeth, braces or not.
Sugars are fuel for the acidic bacteria that destroy teeth. For teeth without braces, candy is a threat, but when you add in the brackets, bands, and wires, tooth decay becomes an almost certainty. There are just too many places for bacteria to hide. You have probably heard that the type of candy makes a difference in the overall effect on the teeth. NOT TRUE. Hard, soft, sticky or crunchy, it’s all bad for your brace covered teeth. The problem with eating candy while undergoing orthodontic treatment is that the sugar has so many different places to hide. It can hide under the wires, in the brackets and around other components of the system. Hard and chewy candies are particularly damaging, as when you bite down on them, your tooth becomes stressed by the force. With brackets and wires on your teeth that additional force may break or pop off a component of the orthodontic system. Better Sugar Fix Alternatives These are some of the better choices you can make while undergoing orthodontic treatment:
If you want us to break the news to your child, please let us know! Call our office at 703-263-0575.
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 Yay! Your Braces Are Finally Off
It’s finally time for your orthodontist to remove your braces and take your ‘after’ photo with your stunning new smile. But that does not mean that your orthodontic journey is complete. You are now entering the retention stage, which begins as soon as your primary treatment phase ends. This stage is key to the success of the entire orthodontic process. Back in School... Remember Don’t throw your retainer away with your school lunch! But if you do, call the office right way so you aren’t without it for long. Solidify Success Your teeth are not rigidly set; you need to consistently wear your retainers for around the next two years. Your retainers are designed to keep your teeth in place and prevent them from shifting. This is applicable for all our patients who have just removed their braces or aligners. Why? Retainers are an important part of your orthodontic treatment. Once phase one is complete, you want your teeth to stay aligned in the correct position. Retainers keep your newly straightened teeth in the correct position. If you do not consistently wear your retainer, your teeth will shift back to their original positions and will require further orthodontic treatment to realign them. Retainers are used for all patients, both teens and adults, and are necessary after both traditional braces and Invisalign. Just Wear It Here are a few reasons to keep wearing that retainer: To Stabilize Your Bite: The soft tissues in your mouth and bones still need time to adapt to their new position. By continually and consistently wearing a retainer, your tissues and bones will stabilize and any shifting that occurs will be minimal. Wisdom Teeth: For most patients, they will receive braces during their preteen and teen years, meaning right around the time that wisdom teeth show up. By wearing your retainer, you will ensure that the eruption of wisdom teeth don’t move your straight teeth out of their new position. Bones & Gums Are Aligned: Retainers not only straighten your teeth and keep them in the desired position, but they also align your bones and gums with your teeth. Your retainer will strengthen and stabilize your teeth along with your bones and gums. Prevent More Orthodontic Treatment: By wearing your retainer every day and night, you will prevent your teeth from shifting, preventing more orthodontic treatment. You’ve put in effort and time wearing your braces. You don’t want to let those efforts go to waste. Your smile will be beautifully straight and your teeth will stay in the correct position by wearing your retainers. Removing your braces got you closer to the finish line, but wearing your retainer will allow you to cross it. If you have questions or concerns, or you lost your retainer at school, please call our office at 703-263-0575. |
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