Whitening After Braces

For many patients, getting their braces off is an exciting time, a time to see the full results of their smile transformation. Straighter teeth helps boost the confidence of many and have health benefits like a better bite, chewing ability, and aids in speaking properly. If you are almost done wearing braces, you are probably counting down the days until they come off.

You are probably aware that you will need to wear retainers. You should also know what getting them off can feel strange for a while, almost as strange as the sensation when you first got them on. There are many things to look forward to- biting into an apple, enjoying popcorn, and even hard candies again.

If you have worn your braces for several years, you may be concerned about the color of your teeth. After all, you might have waited years to see all of your teeth again, they might as well be whiter too. If you consume food and drink that can stain your teeth, there is a good chance that over the years the areas around your bracket might be slightly discolored. At this point in your treatment, you might want to consider teeth whitening. There are many forms of whitening for those who only need some whitening to those whose teeth are noticeably stained. Read more about teeth whitening options post-orthodontic treatment at our page. An in office treatment can whiten teeth up to eight shades, but if you only need minor whitening, take home kits might be a better option for you.

Orthodontics- A Dental Specialty

Orthodontists straighten teeth with special attention to both the aesthetics of a smile and the function of a bite. You might already know that orthodontists help patients straighten their teeth with the use of braces, but did you know that to be a specialist, one must go through extra training beyond what is required of a general dentist? They must pass the Dental Admission Test even before going to dental school. Braces are kept on sometimes for years at a time, and an experienced orthodontist can help make the process as painless as possible. In order to get the best results with your new smile, make sure you are being treated by an experienced licensed orthodontist.  At Braces Las Vegas, Dr. Kate Nguyen is our orthodontic specialist, having graduated with a BS in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Irvine, and her doctorate, a DDS, MS from the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, San Francisco. Read more about her and general orthodontics at our website. 

Foods to Avoid with Braces

Before getting your braces, you might want to enjoy foods like hard candies and whole apples while you can. While braces are sturdy and made to adhere to your teeth for months and even years, some foods can damage your brackets and wires, so you will have to put off eating those foods until your braces come off. Basically anything hard that is meant to be chewed, or anything highly acidic should either be eaten in very small quantities or avoided altogether.

Certain foods can also do damage to your enamel, so it is important to be aware of the foods you consume and which ones are safer options with braces. The last thing you want to deal with is the extra cost of repairing your orthodontic gear or going through extra treatments to whiten teeth. For more information on specific foods to avoid while wearing braces, visit our page.

Getting Used to Your New Braces

Wearing braces for the first time can take some getting used to. The feeling of the brackets and wires in your mouth may feel foreign at first, but over time you will forget they are even there! While you are getting used to your new braces, there are some things you can do to help alleviate any discomfort felt from your braces. From taking over the counter painkillers to monitoring what you eat, there are many ways to make your braces experience more pleasant. For tips on how to alleviate braces discomfort, visit our site. 

Professional Teeth Cleanings with Braces

Having your teeth cleaned by a professional dental hygienist is important, especially for those who wear braces. Even without braces, you will never be able to clean your teeth with brushing and flossing as thoroughly as a professional cleaning. Hygienists use special tools that give your gums a deep cleaning, preventing decay and infections. With braces, it is especially important to remember your professional cleanings because your orthodontic appliances make some areas around the teeth almost impossible to clean. Learn more about how the treatment differs from a normal cleaning on out page.

Don't forget to schedule your professional cleanings every six months. It might help to schedule them during your adjustment sessions, this way the arch wire will be removed, your teeth can be cleaned, and a new wire can be put in, cutting down on your trips to the dentist.

Retainers

Maintaining your new and improved bite once your braces come off is just as important as your orthodontic treatment. Retainers help make this possible, and can make your results last for many many years if you take the time to wear them as prescribed. There are different kinds of retainers and how long you wear yours will depend on your treatment. If you have retainers and would like more information on when to wear them, how to clean them, and what to do if they are damaged, read more at our website.

Cleaning Your Teeth with Braces

Maintaining your oral hygiene with braces can be difficult, but is even more important since those with braces have a higher chance of experiencing decay after their treatment is over. This happens because the orthodontic appliances block areas normally exposed during brushing and flossing. To ensure a thorough cleaning, follow these tips:

• Brush along the line of the wires and alternately along the tops of the wire and from below with the brush at a 90 degree angle. This helps get underneath the wires and closer to the brackets.
• Use special tools for cleaning around braces like interdental brushes and threaded floss to make your hygiene routine a little bit easier.
• Use mouthwashes with flouride after a thorough brushing to help prevent decay.

Keeping your teeth clean and free of decay also depends on what you eat. Avoid eating sugary foods that can get stuck between teeth in hard to reach areas. Nuts can also cause this problem, so if you do happen to have foods that can lodge in between teeth, remember to floss as soon as possible.

Braces tend to make cleaning your teeth a little bit more challenging, but this should not cause you to skip out on any parts of a good hygiene routine. Follow these cleaning tips and eat healthy foods to prevent tooth decay. Visit our website for more details on how to clean your teeth with braces.