Getting braces can be quite an adjustment. Because treatment typically lasts for 18 to 24 months, you need to plan on having your braces with you for some time. Knowing what to expect, how to care for braces, and other helpful information will ensure that you maximize your orthodontic treatment.
Eating and Braces
In general, you can eat plenty with braces. You do, however, need to avoid sticky foods like caramel, chewy foods like licorice, hard foods like nuts, and foods you have to bite into like corn on the cob. Feel free to much out on yogurt, pasta, diced chicken, green beans, bananas, and other easy-to-chew options.
Dealing with Discomfort
After the initial placement, your teeth and mouth may feel tender, which is perfectly normal. This discomfort will pass in a couple of days, after you get used to the braces. You may also experience some soreness after an adjustment.
Loose Brackets and Wires
Sometimes, wires and brackets become dislodged or break. If this happens, contact your orthodontist right away. You can place wax over the broken area to prevent irritation in your mouth.
Playing Sports
Having braces won’t stop you from going out for basketball, football, or your favorite sport. To protect your mouth, most orthodontists recommend a mouth guard, which covers your teeth and gums.
Caring for Your Teeth
During orthodontic treatment, it is really important that you practice good oral hygiene. Braces can make you more susceptible to problems like tooth decay and gum disease. Remember to brush after each meal, floss once a day, and see your dentist for routine exams.
We care about your smile at our Sherman Oaks, CA orthodontic office – Mehdi Fotovat, DDS.
You may not realize it, but certain bad habits can be detrimental to your dental health. While it may not seem like nail biting or chewing ice are big issues, they can have definite consequences on your smile. Breaking these habits now can prevent more damage later, as well as save you time in the orthodontist’s chair and extra expenses.
• Thumb sucking
For infants and toddlers, thumb sucking is a method of self soothing. Problems arise when children continue that habit past kindergarten. At that time, permanent teeth being to erupt and thumb sucking can affect their position, which may create orthodontic issues.
• Brushing too hard
Gum recession and loss of supporting bone can occur when you scrub your teeth in full power mode. If you aren’t sure about proper brushing techniques, ask your dentist or hygienist.
• Clenching and grinding teeth
Also called bruxism, teeth grinding and clenching is usually a subconscious response to stress. Often, people clench and grind their teeth at night time. Prolonged bruxism can result in cracked teeth, headaches, sore muscles, and limited function. Your orthodontist can fit you for a night guard to prevent bruxism.
• Chewing ice
A common habit, chewing ice, or using teeth as scissors, puts tremendous strain on your teeth and may cause fractures, cracks, or complete tooth breakage.
• Nail biting
Not only does nail biting introduce germs into your mouth, but it can also weaken tooth strength and create gaps between teeth, which may increase your odds of needing orthodontic treatment.
Consider our Orthodontic team in Sherman Oaks California – Dr. Fotovat – Burbank Orthodontist – WebBraces.com
Although most people don’t love the idea of wearing braces, it doesn’t usually create any major problems. For some individuals, though, orthodontic treatment with braces is a bigger deal. Over time, some people develop sensitivity to nickel, a common metal found in jewelry, watches, and clothing. Unfortunately, nickel is a component in metal braces as well as in the wires and auxiliary pieces used during treatment.
Research indicates that more people have a reaction to nickel than to all other metals combined. This sensitivity occurs when the immune system responds to the foreign substance. More females than males exhibit problems with nickel, which may be attributed to other contact with nickel such as with watches, earrings, metal buttons, and even detergent. Symptoms may include a rash on the skin and lesions in the mouth.
One of the reasons for the increase in nickel sensitivity cases is the popularity of body piercing. The jewelry used for these piercings usually contains nickel. While the initial exposure to the nickel may not cause a reaction, full symptoms may develop with subsequent exposure.
If you or a loved one has sensitivity to nickel, talk with your orthodontist about other options. Often, stainless steel components, which are only about eight percent nickel, will work better than other metal appliances. Ceramic, plastic, gold-plated, and titanium brackets are other alternatives to consider as well as Invisalign. In some cases, a reaction may not develop until after treatment has started. Contact your orthodontist right away if you notice any signs of nickel sensitivity.
We love to see you smile at our orthodontic dental practice in Sherman Oaks, CA – Mehdi Fotovat, DDS
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children receive an evaluation around age seven. Not all children will need early treatment, but it’s important to have an orthodontist see how things are developing. Certain problems are easier to correct at an early age, so this initial assessment helps set your child on the right path. As well, your orthodontist can assess your child’s development and make sure everything continues on the right track.
Around age seven, your child’s first molars appear, which solidifies the back bite. At this time, the orthodontist can see how the various teeth are in relation to the others, looking for issues such as overbites, crowding, or crossbites. Without correction, orthodontic problems can result in uneven tooth wear, speech impediments, and greater risk of decay or gum disease.
For some children, it’s particularly important to schedule an early evaluation. If you notice the following problems, contact the office of Mehdi Fotovat for an appointment:
• Breathing through the mouth
• Clenching or grinding
• Crowding
• Difficulties with speech
• Extended use of a pacifier
• Spacing problems
• Thumbsucking beyond preschool
Bringing your child to the orthodontist for an early assessment means addressing these issues, or others like them, before they create additional problems. Early treatment can make room for permanent teeth that still need to erupt and also lessen the time needed in braces at a later point. Often, therapy is most successful when treatment is performed while the jaws and face are still growing.
Schedule a Visit to our Sherman Oaks orthodontic practice and see how we can enhance your smile. Mehdi Fotovat
In recent years, more kids and adults are wearing braces. Research indicates that 70 percent of the population could benefit from orthodontic treatment. Based on fossil findings, our ancestors had little trouble with alignment of their teeth, so what happened to us? As different ethnic and genetic populations began to merge, human growth pattern in the mouth didn’t accommodate teeth and jaw development.
Often, children inherit the need for orthodontic from one or both parents whose teeth didn’t align correctly, just as you inherit eye color or seasonal allergies. These tendencies can be passed down from generation to generation. Consequently, your child’s teeth may be too large or too small for the jaw area, resulting in crowding or extra spaces.
With modern orthodontic treatment, your orthodontist can correct alignment and spacing problems. Generally, it’s a good idea to bring your child in for an orthodontic evaluation around age seven. At this time, the orthodontist can assess your child’s current and future development to determine if any intervention is necessary. Some children require Phase I, or early orthodontic treatment, to prepare their mouths for Phase 2, the straight-forward phase of treatment that usually involves traditional braces.
If you would like a straighter smile, but never made steps to change it, there’s still time. Even adults can benefit from orthodontic treatment. With modern alternatives like Invisalign clear aligners or ceramic braces, you can achieve a picture-perfect smile without the hassle and embarrassment of metal braces.
We’ll give you something to smile about at our Sherman Oaks, CA orthodontic practice – Mehdi Fotovat, DDS.
Although wearing braces will give you a gorgeous smile, most people don’t relish the idea of orthodontic treatment. Most of the time, the goal is to finish the process as quickly as possible. When you have braces, you can’t do much to shorten the time frame, but by following these tips, you can keep your progress on target to finish treatment in a timely manner.
Keep your teeth clean – Having braces makes your teeth and gums more susceptible to plaque and tartar build up. Electronic toothbrushes remove the food and bacteria more efficiently than manual toothbrushes. Healthier gums may promote faster movement of your teeth, so visit your family dentist for checkups and cleanings as well.
Stay away from food that will damage braces – Hard foods like nuts and popcorn or soft candy like taffy can cause brackets and wires to break, which may stop desired movement or result in a relapse. To avoid prolonging your treatment, avoid these foods all together.
Wear rubber bands as directed – If your orthodontist adds rubber bands or head gear to your treatment plan, do yourself a favor and actually wear them. Although these devices aren’t fun, treatment will last longer if you don’t follow your orthodontist’s instructions. Have a supply of rubbers close by, in a purse or car, so you can put them in wherever you are.
Don’t miss your appointments with the orthodontist – Your orthodontist schedules adjustments at regular intervals to check your progress and keep teeth movement on track. When you miss appointments, alignment may stall until you go back in for the planned adjustments.
It’s time for a beautiful smile – visit our orthodontic dental practice in Sherman Oaks, CA – Mehdi Fotovat, DDS
