Teenagers who need orthodontic treatment often use braces to address bite problems and mismatched teeth. While obtaining braces can be a thrilling step toward having a gorgeous, healthy smile, it’s important to know what to anticipate at each stage of the procedure. We’ll go over five important things you should know before obtaining braces for your adolescent in this in-depth article.
1. Types of Braces:
Knowing the many kinds of braces for teens is vital. The most popular kind of braces are traditional metal ones, which progressively realign teeth using metal brackets and wires. Another alternative is ceramic braces, which seem more understated by blending in with the color of the teeth. When lingual braces are applied to the back of teeth, they are almost undetectable from the front. Lastly, teeth can be progressively moved using transparent aligners, like Invisalign, which are detachable trays that do not need brackets or wires. Think about treatment objectives, money, and aesthetics when selecting the best braces for your adolescent.
2. Treatment Duration:
You and your adolescent need to be aware of how long orthodontic treatment will take. The normal course of braces therapy lasts between 18 and 24 months, however, every case is unique. This schedule, however, can change depending on your teen’s compliance with their orthodontist’s recommendations, the kind of braces they are wearing, and the severity of their orthodontic problems. Your adolescent will have frequent check-ups and modifications with their orthodontist throughout therapy. The significance of keeping these visits and paying attention to any advice given by the orthodontic staff cannot be overstated.
3. Oral Hygiene:
Teens wearing braces must practice proper dental hygiene to avoid gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health problems. Effective tooth cleaning might be hampered by braces because food particles and plaque can become caught in the brackets and wires. Encourage your adolescent to use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush to properly clean their teeth after every meal. Moreover, flossing is necessary to get rid of dirt and plaque from braces and in between teeth. Your adolescent can benefit from utilizing certain oral hygiene instruments, such as interdental brushes, floss threaders, and water flossers, in addition to routine brushing and flossing, to clean difficult-to-reach regions. Remind them not to eat anything chewy, sticky, or hard, as they might break braces and raise the possibility of dental health issues.
4. Discomfort and Adjustments:
It’s common for your adolescent to feel a little uncomfortable or painful after receiving braces or after making modifications. Usually, this pain goes away in a few days as the mouth acclimates to the new braces and tooth positions. Any discomfort can be reduced with over-the-counter analgesics, and orthodontic wax can be used to orthodontic brackets or wires that could be irritating the inside of the mouth. Your adolescent will have their braces adjusted on occasion throughout therapy to keep the teeth progressing into the correct locations. Temporary pressure or pain can result from these adjustments when the braces gently push on the teeth. Urge your adolescent to discuss any pain or worries they can have with your orthodontist.
5. Retention Phase:
Your adolescent will go into the retention phase when their braces treatment is over, where they will wear a retainer to keep their teeth in their new alignment. Custom-made gadgets called retainers keep teeth in their corrected locations and stop them from moving back over time. Your adolescent can wear their retainer all the time at first, then progressively switch to wearing it only at night. Stress how crucial it is to follow the orthodontist’s retainer instructions in order to avoid relapse and maintain the benefits of orthodontic treatment. To guarantee that the retainer fits correctly and keeps the teeth aligned, regular retainer inspections and follow-up visits are necessary. Your adolescent can have a straight, healthy smile for many years to come if they adhere to the orthodontist’s suggestions throughout the retention period.
Conclusion
A big choice like getting braces for your adolescent, needs serious thought and planning. You can support your adolescent through their orthodontic journey and assist them in achieving a straight and healthy smile by being aware of the many kinds of braces that are available, the length of treatment, the significance of dental hygiene, managing pain and modifications, and the retention phase throughout the orthodontic process.