Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you. But if your teeth aren’t straight naturally, then you might be self-conscious about it. However, not very many people are blessed with naturally straight teeth, so if you have been recommended braces or aligners, then you are not on your own. Braces these days are suitable for anybody so whether you are a teenager looking into getting braces for the first time, or an adult who wants to straighten their teeth in a subtle way, there’s an option for everybody.
Today, braces and tooth alignment technology are more advanced than ever before with lots of options to choose from. Whether your teeth are very misaligned and need a fair bit of work before you get the results you want, or you simply have a couple of teeth out of place that you’ve decided that you want to sort out because they are bothering you and have been for a while, keep reading to find out more about the top things to consider before you straighten your teeth.
Get a Consultation
First of all, it’s a good idea to get a consultation with a professional who will be able to provide you with more information on the most suitable type of teeth straightening treatment for you. There are two main options to choose from: fixed braces and removeable aligners. Aligners tend to be better suited for milder issues, and there are options for teenagers and adults.
Aligners for teens are a great idea if you don’t have serious misalignment issues as they are less noticeable, and you can take them out to eat and brush your teeth. On the other hand, if your teeth are very crooked, then an orthodontist might recommend a fixed brace instead, where brackets are glued to your teeth and a wire fixed to them, which is tightened every few weeks to pull your teeth into place. If you want it to be less noticeable, there is the option of having clear, rather than metal brackets fitted.
Improve Your Dental Health
If you want to get braces or aligners to straighten your teeth, then you will need to think about anything that you need to do to make sure that your teeth are as healthy as possible before you start. Braces and aligners both make your teeth move a lot, so the healthier they are, the better. Go for a check-up with your dentist before you start and let them know your plans. Make sure that you have any treatments such as cavities filled, or old fillings replaced beforehand.
Look After Your Teeth Well
Along with making sure that you start out with a good foundation of healthy and strong teeth, you’ll need to prepare for how you are going to look after your teeth and keep your dental health strong while you are wearing braces or aligners. If you have removeable aligners, then looking after your teeth should be as easy as it is without as you can simply take them out to brush and floss.
On the other hand, if you’re going to be getting a fixed brace, then it pays to be prepared. Look out for orthodontic toothbrushes that are designed to get around the awkward brace when brushing your teeth and consider alternatives for flossing like interdental brushes or a water flosser.
Be Ready for Temporary Discomfort
The discomfort that you feel after having braces fitted or wearing an aligner for the first time can come as quite a shock if you aren’t expecting it. Since braces and aligners are designed to put pressure on your teeth and ultimately pull them into place so that they are aligned and straight, you will likely experience some tightness and toothache.
Before your first appointment, you may want to consider taking an over-the-counter painkiller such as ibuprofen to reduce any discomfort. It’s also worth sticking to only eating soft foods for the first few days of wearing your braces or aligners.
How Long Will It Take?
Before committing to wearing removeable clear aligners or having a fixed brace fitted, it’s worth knowing how long you can expect the treatment to take. This is especially important if you are having a fixed brace or if there’s an event coming up that you want to have your teeth straightened for in time. The truth is that everybody is different, and it will depend on how misaligned your teeth are along with several other factors.
If you have serious misalignment, then it’s going to take much longer for your teeth to move into a straight position compared to if you just have one tooth that’s a little off. An orthodontist will be able to let you know more about the timeframe you can expect your treatment to be completed in once they have examined your teeth.
Getting Teeth Extracted
In some cases, you may need to have one or more teeth extracted before you can be given aligners or fitted with a fixed brace. This is usually due to overcrowding, where there are just too many teeth in your mouth for them to be straight, which is why they have grown in a misaligned position. Teeth will be removed to create space in your mouth for the other teeth to move into and straighten them out.
An orthodontist will be able to let you know more about what to expect and which teeth are best to remove. If you have any teeth that have fillings or other problems, it is worth asking to remove these and improve your dental health at the same time. You will usually need to have teeth extracted a few weeks prior to having your brace fitted to give your mouth enough time to heal.
Eating with Braces
Before getting aligners or braces, it’s worth considering how you might need to change your diet for the duration of your treatment. Although you can remove a clear aligner for eating, you may find that your teeth are slightly sore and tender due to the pressure that has been put on them, so sticking with foods that are soft and easy on your teeth is a good idea.
You will need to be even more careful if you have a fixed brace as some food might snap the wire or get stuck in the braces. Avoid eating anything too crunchy or hard as these foods tend to be the riskiest.
Wearing a Retainer
Finally, when considering getting braces or aligners, don’t forget that you’ll need to wear a retainer at least most nights afterwards to keep your teeth in the straight position you have worked so hard to get them into. Sadly, teeth that have been straightened using an aligner or fixed brace do not always stay that way. A retainer is similar to an aligner and worn over your teeth at night to prevent movement. So, don’t forget about this when you sign up to get braces, as you’ll have to commit to wearing them each night afterwards to preserve your new smile.
Getting braces or aligners at any age is a big decision with a lot to think about. Before you take the leap and make your appointment to have them fitted, these are just a few of the main things to keep in mind.
