Top 3 Retainer Mistakes
At Parks Orthodontics, we understand that starting orthodontic treatment can be an exciting and nerve-wracking time. Between orthodontic terminology and special hygiene, and diet instructions, it’s a lot to take in. Our team at Parks Orthodontics is here to help! Explore our answers to frequently asked questions. Don’t see an answer to your question? Contact our Yorktown, VA office today!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
At Parks Orthodontics, we understand that each patient is different, and therefore has unique treatment needs. During your initial consultation with Dr. Parks, she will conduct a full examination of your jaw and teeth and provide you with an estimate as to how long treatment will take. However, this estimate is not static and may change throughout the course of treatment. On average, treatment takes 12 to 36 months to complete, though some patients require less or more time.
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children first visit an orthodontist at age 7. At this age, your child has a mixture of baby teeth and permanent teeth, and Dr. Parks can determine whether they are a good candidate for early orthodontic treatment. Not every child will need early orthodontic treatment.
Early orthodontic treatment, sometimes called Phase 1 treatment, helps guide the growth of your child’s jaw and bite, preventing more serious orthodontic issues in the future. At Parks Orthodontics, we are proud to offer Invisalign First to facilitate jaw expansion during early orthodontic treatment.
Benefits of early orthodontic treatment include:
- Expansion of the jaw, making room for permanent teeth
- Preventing the extraction of permanent teeth
- Preventing more serious orthodontic issues in the future
It’s never too late to get your smile straight! In fact, 1 in 4 orthodontic patients is an adult. Many adults may wonder why they need braces, especially if they have had crooked teeth their whole lives. A straight smile can boost your self-esteem and make it easier to brush and floss, leading to better overall oral health.
Many of the treatment options that are available to teens are also available to adults. Depending on your specific treatment needs, adults can straighten their smiles at Parks Orthodontics with traditional braces or Invisalign.
While they use many of the same treatment options, adult orthodontic treatment is slightly different than teen orthodontic treatment for a few reasons. Adults are more likely to maintain a good oral hygiene routine than teens, reducing their risk for significant complications during treatment. Overall, adult orthodontic treatment tends to take longer than teen orthodontic treatment.
Teens’ bones are still growing and soft, while adults’ bones are denser and more mature, which makes moving teeth a bit more difficult. Furthermore, adults tend to have more dental issues, such as gum disease, fillings and missing teeth, which can slow down the treatment process. Regardless, Dr. Parks will work with your dentist to ensure you get the smile you’ve always wanted.
An orthodontic treatment plan at Parks Orthodontics in Yorktown, VA begins with a complimentary consultation with Dr. Parks. During your consultation, Dr. Parks will conduct a thorough examination of your teeth, jaw and mouth, and answer any questions you may have about treatment. Based on your treatment needs and preferences, Dr. Parks will then recommend a treatment method, such as braces or Invisalign, and provide an estimated cost and duration of treatment.
Once you begin treatment, Dr. Parks and the Parks Orthodontics team will outline everything you need to know about your new appliances and best practices for a successful treatment process. You will regularly visit Parks Orthodontics for checkup appointments, where treatment appliances will be adjusted as needed. During this time, you will also need to regularly see your dentist for dental cleanings.
Once you complete orthodontic treatment and have a new, beautiful smile, you will need to regularly wear your retainer to maintain your smile results.
It is normal to feel some slight discomfort and soreness for a few days after you get your braces on or after a check-up with our team. Below are some common braces issues and how you can remedy them at home:
- Soreness: Take an over-the-counter pain reliever
- Poking wire: Use a clean eraser to gently push the wire back into place, or use orthodontic wax to cover the end of the wire
- Mouth sores: Use a warm saltwater rinse to alleviate discomfort
If you are straightening your smile with Invisalign, you will not need to make changes to your diet— aligners can be removed before eating or drinking. However, if you are straightening your smile with braces, there are some foods that you will want to avoid. These foods can easily get stuck between brackets and wires, and possibly damage or break your braces.
- Sticky and chewy foods. Foods such as candy, pizza and bubblegum can easily get stuck in braces brackets. Rather than chewing gum, try using a mouth spray or gently sucking on a breath mint.
- Hard foods. Biting directly into hard foods such as apples can damage or break your brackets. Cut these foods into slices or bite-sized pieces before enjoying them.
- Crunchy foods. Avoid particularly crunchy foods such as popcorn or nuts. Instead, opt for cheese puffs or nut butter.
It is important to maintain excellent dental hygiene during your orthodontic treatment. Braces make it easier for food particles to get stuck in between teeth, which over time can lead to tartar buildup, cavities and/or gum disease. Furthermore, healthy teeth and gums move easier during orthodontic treatment, allowing a quicker and more seamless treatment experience! Here are some of our oral hygiene tips:
- Brush your teeth for at least two minutes, twice a day, preferably with an electric toothbrush. If possible, brush your teeth after meals.
- Replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head when it starts to fray.
- Floss daily.
- Use mouthwash daily.
- If using Invisalign, regularly clean your aligners to prevent plaque buildup.
Once you finish orthodontic treatment and you have a new, beautiful smile, you will need to regularly wear a retainer. Retainers use metal or medical-grade plastic to put gentle pressure on your teeth to ensure that they do not shift. To keep your straight smile for years to come, you will need to wear a retainer indefinitely, usually just at night.
