Getting Braces to Deal With Misaligned Teeth

Dental care professionals will prescribe braces for crooked and misaligned teeth in order to restore them to the proper alignment. If left unchecked, tartar and plaque can accumulate in the niches and crannies as well as the spaces left in your teeth arch. These become harder to clean out and can lead to gum diseases and infections.

Tooth decay is more common with misaligned, crooked teeth and it is essential to get it treated. It is standard for dentists to prescribe affordable braces in order to get your teeth arch back into shape and help avoid serious issues. On a whole, the process takes anywhere between several months to a couple of years depending on the condition the teeth are in.

The Braces Experience

Putting on the braces is not a painful experience but there is usually some level of discomfort afterward. You can expect to be a little sore all over the mouth and some irritation in the gums. But these happen because the teeth shift around and settle into the desired shape. Over-the-counter painkillers can help you get over any pain that you might feel during the treatment.

You can get your braces put on in a single sitting. The orthodontist will first clean out your teeth in order to prevent infections and other complications during the treatment process. You need to get your teeth cleaned professionally at the dentist’s before getting the braces. Once cleaned out, the dentist applies a specially made adhesive to your teeth where the brackets will be attached. Finally, the archwire is added to the brackets and secured with elastic bands to complete the procedure.

You should stick to a diet consisting of soft foods in order to refrain from aggravating sensitive teeth. It is natural to feel small tinges of pain and be sore in the first week. It is recommended to avoid acidic foods till the braces can be removed. If the pain becomes too intense at times, you can use dental painkillers to abate the discomfort. Once your mouth adjusts to the braces, it will feel almost non-existent.

Proper dental care to take care of your braces

With braces, good oral hygiene is more important than ever as food particles can accumulate on teeth and in between tiny spaces of braces, which over time turn into plaque. As a result, films of bacteria are formed which further lead to enamel staining and tooth decay around brackets or bands.

There are some special brushing tools available to help clean the areas near brackets and wires. These are specifically designed to get in between teeth and wires, and into places, a traditional toothbrush won't reach. This keeps those slender spaces clear of food particles and debris.

Consult with your dental care professional @ (817) 496-2343 for more advice on maintaining oral hygiene with braces.