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Orthodontics and the need for dental braces
Orthodontics is a unique area of dentistry that focuses on aligning the teeth and jaws to give you a better smile and oral health. The word is derived from “ortho” meaning straight or correct and “odont” meaning tooth.
Your dentist will typically advise braces to enhance the patient’s physical appearance (“orofacial”). Using orthodontic therapy, he can correct issues such as crooked or crowded teeth and overbites or underbites. Jaw position that is incorrect or conditions of the jaw joints can also be handled.
The right time for dental braces
People with orthodontic issues can gain from therapy at any age. The best time for starting with braces is from 10 to 14 years old when the head and mouth are still developing and the teeth are more available to straightening. Because any changes in one’s appearance can be traumatic for a kid during these growing up years, moms and dads should talk about the matter with their kids before deciding on braces.
The good news is that braces aren’t simply for children. More and more these days, grownups are additionally utilizing braces to correct small problems and boost their appearance. Check with your dentist about Invisalign or Clear Correct, cosmetic alternatives for adults that are invisible.
Different types of braces
Your dentist can determine just what appliance is right for your particular need, however, there are usually different options for the patient. Braces usually are available in three types: the most common are brackets, in a metal or plastic material, bonded to the teeth and generally not as noticeable. Another type, the “lingual” form of braces are brackets that affix to the rear of teeth, concealed from view. The old-fashioned kind, called bands, cover much of your teeth with metal bands that are placed around the teeth. In all cases, the dentist uses wires to put the teeth in the needed position.
Duration of dental braces
The type of treatment plan used will determine how long you will need to wear braces. The more difficult your bite or spacing issue is, and also the older you, most likely the longer the period of therapy. Most can figure on wearing the full braces for about 18 to 30 months, followed up with a retainer for a few more months to help set and align the surrounding tissues around the newly straightened teeth.
The discomfort of dental braces
At each visit with the orthodontist, the interconnecting wires are tightened, putting moderate pressure on the brackets or bands in order to move teeth or jaws slowly into the desired position. Your teeth and jaws be a little sore afterward, but the discomfort does not last long. In some cases, teeth might need to be removed in order to make enough space for the teeth getting repositioned with braces and to correct jaw alignment.
Food or habits to avoid
When wearing braces you should reduce sweets, potato chips, and sugary drinks. Sugar and starchy foods create acids and plaque that can trigger tooth decay and lead to gum disease.
Hard foods, like carrots or applies, should be cut into smaller pieces. Sticky or chewy foods, like caramel, can trigger wire damage or cause brackets to loosen. You should eliminate hard, crunchy foods that can break braces, like popcorn, nuts and hard candies. Do not chew ice cubes, avoid thumb sucking, excessive breathing through the mouth, lip biting, and avoid pressing your tongue against your teeth.
Care at home for dental braces
Oral hygiene is very crucial when wearing braces. Because of the tiny spaces in braces, food bits and plaque can get caught and build up. Do brushing the teeth carefully after every meal with a fluoride toothpaste and use a soft-bristled brush. Make sure you rinse carefully and thoroughly and look at the teeth in the mirror to ensure they are thoroughly clean. Daily floss between the braces and under the wires. You can use a floss threader for easier use. Make sure you have your teeth cleaned professionally twice a year to ensure your gums and teeth stay healthy. If cleaning is not done sufficiently when using braces, it can trigger enamel staining around the brackets or bands.
Provider for Orthodontic treatment
Typically, the family’s general dentist will coordinate your orthodontic dental treatment and care, and this can include any orthodontic treatment program, including the diagnosis, exams and some of the orthodontic procedures. However, it is possible he or she may refer you to a specialist or orthodontist, who is a professional trained in the correction and prevention of irregularities regarding the teeth, bite and jaws and other associated facial abnormalities.
