4 Must-Ask Questions During Your First Orthodontic Appointment

If you’ve finally decided to begin your orthodontic journey, you’re probably feeling pretty eager to begin working towards a healthier, more attractive, and optimally functional smile. However, it never hurts to be prepared and arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible about the treatment; after all, you’re going to be spending quite a bit of time with your appliance in the near future! Here are a few must-ask questions that you should bring with you to your first orthodontic appointment so that you can get the answers you need to confidently embark down this path.

If you’ve just received braces, you’re probably feeling a lot of different emotions—for starters, you’re likely very excited to finally be kicking off your orthodontic journey! However, you might also have concerns about your smile’s appearance during treatment; after all, the metal brackets and wires are quite noticeable, and you might be worried that they’ll dampen the splendor of your pearly whites! But did you know that you can actually accentuate the whiteness of your teeth by selecting certain colors for the rubber bands that accompany your braces? Keep reading to learn more!

If you had braces when you were younger, you probably remember the long list of dietary guidelines and restrictions that you were supposed to follow—and perhaps many of your favorites, including fresh popcorn, crisp apples and carrots, and many other items were entirely off-limits! The same goes for your child if they have braces, which means that as a diligent parent, you should want to help your little one stick to the rules and avoid setting back their orthodontic progress. Here are some braces-friendly lunch ideas to inspire you!

Invisalign is one of the hottest cosmetic treatments around! These awesome aligners are able to correct crooked teeth in a convenient and subtle manner. And when compared to traditional braces, they’re much more comfortable to wear! That said, Invisalign doesn’t come without complications and some patients struggle to stay on track with their treatment progress; after all, wearing your aligners every day is a big commitment. Here are some tips to keep your treatment on track if you’ve noticed yourself beginning to slip up lately.

Wearing your retainer might seem a little inconvenient at first. However, this best practice plays a crucial role in preventing orthodontic relapse (the phenomenon where your teeth begin to drift back into their previous positions). While retainers typically last anywhere from 5-7 years, their lifespan rests heavily on how well you care for them. Keep reading to learn a few helpful tips!

Whether you just got braces or are well into your orthodontic treatment, your teeth might not quite be straight yet. That doesn’t mean you can’t start being thankful now, though! In fact, focusing on all of the benefits that they provide can help keep you motivated throughout your time with braces. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, there’s no time like the present to do so too. So, keep reading to learn four reasons to be thankful for straight teeth.

Did you recently get braces? Congratulations! Thanks to advancements in the field of orthodontics, straightening your teeth is more comfortable and convenient than ever before. Of course, there are still a few adjustments you’ll need to make to your day-to-day life, including tweaking your oral hygiene regimen. Luckily, this doesn’t need to be difficult or time-consuming. In fact, here’s a quick guide to easily brushing and flossing with braces!

Do only your top teeth show when you smile? Maybe your bottom teeth are straight, but your top ones are spaced-out or overlapping. Either way, you may be wondering if you can get Invisalign on just your top teeth. After all, why get braces on both arches of teeth if you don’t have to, right? To learn if single arch orthodontic treatment is possible, read on!

At your appointment, your orthodontist will show you how to properly put on and take out your trays. Of course, once you get home and you have to do it on your own, it doesn’t seem so easy! Don’t panic – your Invisalign will come out. In fact, with a few helpful tricks for removing clear aligners in your back pocket, you can do so with ease. With this in mind, keep reading for some must-know tips.

After months or years of wearing braces, it’s safe to say there is nothing quite like the feeling of seeing your new and improved smile. Even better, now you get to go back to your normal oral hygiene routine, eat what you please, and, of course, show everyone your new grin. However, your teeth will only stay in their perfectly aligned positions if you wear your retainer consistently. With good care, they should last for 5-7 years at a time. You’ll know when it’s time to get a replacement by reading the following tell-tale signs!