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There are a few steps to be taken your braces are applied. Your Forest & Ray dentist or orthodontist will explain the state of your teeth and discuss other pertinent things which may include a financial plan for your treatment.
Slow down! First Things First
You may be under the impression that when you show up at the dentist, the braces are immediately going to be installed. Not so! Braces are not put on during your first appointment with our Forest & Ray orthodontist. There are a few steps to be taken during initial appointments before your braces are actually applied. We recommend a first consultation at which time we can discuss the state of your teeth and answer any financial questions.
Once that is done, your teeth can be addressed but you will not get braces right away. During one of the first appointments, separators (also known as spacers) will be placed between your back molars. These will create enough space between your teeth to accommodate bands, which will be inserted during your next appointment. This appointment is separate from your free consultation.
To prepare for the initial exam, try to have the following information readily available:
- Medical and Dental history
- Home address, home/work phone numbers
- Referral (needed for children under 18 seeking NHS treatment)
- Chief concerns
- Pertinent X-rays taken most recently
Things to Know and Do
Clean Your Teeth
If your teeth aren't sufficiently clean before you get braces, your orthodontist will have to clean them with a polishing paste so that the braces can properly be cemented to your teeth. If possible, schedule a regular professional cleaning appointment with your dentist a few days before you get your new braces so the teeth will be plaque-free prior to your braces appointment. Then, brushing with a dentist-approved toothpaste — along with flossing and gargling mouthwash before your appointment — can help make you feel more confident and will speed things along with the orthodontist.
Discuss Types of Braces
Before your orthodontist gets started, make sure that you understand what types of braces are being used and how they'll affect your teeth. There are essentially three types of braces, all of which utilize wires and elastic bands to attach the braces and align teeth:
- Brackets that are bonded to the front of the teeth, which are most typical for children.
- Brackets that are bonded to the back of the teeth.
- Metal bands that wrap around the teeth.
Your orthodontist will choose the right type of braces based on your specific dental challenges. Happily, there are several options from which to choose to make braces uniquely yours, such as choosing clear bands so they're less noticeable or letting you pick out bright, fun colours.
Once all the prep work has been done, your orthodontist has to actually apply the braces to your teeth, something which might jangle your nerves. Whether it's you or your child in the orthodontist's chair, knowing what to expect and how to prep for braces can help calm some of those jitters and make getting braces a more pleasant experience.
After You Get Braces
Talk to your Forest & Ray orthodontist about proper care of your braces. You'll need to brush regularly and use a Waterpik to flush out the food particles that can get caught between braces and teeth; you should also avoid sticky foods. With proper care and by seeing your orthodontist regularly for check-ups, you can keep your teeth healthy while your braces are in place.
Getting braces need not be an ordeal and the fear of the unknown is usually the worst part. You can allay some of those fears by asking plenty of questions and prepping physically (as we described above) for your appointment. Contact us to begin your journey to the perfect smile!
