How to Prepare for Braces
Everyone deserves a confident, radiant smile. For many, the path to achieving this smile starts with orthodontic treatment. If you’re considering braces to help straighten your teeth, congratulations on taking the first step toward a more beautiful and healthier smile! Embarking on this transformative journey can be exciting, but it’s natural to feel a bit unsure or even anxious about what’s ahead. We’re here to help.
We’ll guide you through the essential steps to help you prepare for braces. From gathering knowledge about different types of braces to proper planning for oral hygiene habits, we’ve got you covered. So let’s explore the key aspects together and ensure you’re fully prepared to embark on your orthodontic journey.
Understand Your Treatment Options
You might think traditional braces are the best path to a better smile, but that’s not necessarily true. The best first step is to understand all available treatment options, and what to expect from braces. We’ll explain how your treatment options will help with any issues you’re experiencing, and what the long-term impacts will be. We recommend starting your preparation for treatment with braces by consulting with an orthodontist committed to ongoing excellence.
A personal consultation with our office will help you understand each of the questions listed below, including:
- When to start treatment based on age, the severity of the issues occurring,
- Exactly what type of treatment is needed (top and bottom application, retainers, etc.)
The clarity you’ll get from a consultation will help you feel more comfortable with the treatment options and confident in your decisions moving forward.
Decide When It’s the Right Time
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of when is the best time to get braces. The ideal time will vary depending on the individual’s needs and circumstances. However, some general guidelines can help you decide when is the right time for you to get braces.
Listen to your orthodontist’s recommendations on timing as severe issues might need to be addressed sooner to preserve your oral health.
Consider any life events that might be made more difficult with braces. While braces shouldn’t hold you back during treatment, it’s tough to accept that you couldn’t eat certain foods while traveling internationally (for example).
Regardless of when you decide to start treatment, remember that the results achieved through treatment can last a lifetime. For many patients, treatment is only needed once. This means they can start to enjoy a better smile as soon as treatment finishes, and our same day retainers ensure that your masterpiece smile is here to stay.
Pre-Treatment Cleanings
Cleaning your teeth is a more involved process once braces are applied. You’ll need to take extra time and use some additional tools to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Navigating the wires and brackets isn’t always easy. This means it’s a good idea to get a professional deep cleaning from your dentist before your braces go on.
A thorough, professional cleaning will help to remove any plaque or tartar that could interfere with the placement of your braces. If you aren’t familiar with some of the oral health complications that could arise from plaque and tartar buildup over time, check out our most recent blog article detailing 4 of the most common issues people experience.
Lastly, we’ll provide you with tips and tools to do cleaning well.
The Cost of Braces
It depends on many factors, including:
- Type of braces: There are a variety of different types of braces available, each with its own unique price tag. Metal braces are the most common type of braces and are also the most affordable. Ceramic braces are more expensive than metal braces, but they are less noticeable. Oppenhuizen Orthodontics utilizes Damon clear brackets to achieve our aesthetic goals. We find them to be efficient, effective, rugged and, most importantly, the most esthetic bracket available today. You can learn more about our specialities here.
- Severity of the orthodontic problem: The more severe your orthodontic problem, the longer it will take to correct it and the more expensive your treatment will be.
- Additional treatment options required.
Some treatments can be finished in as little as 6 months, while others take 12-24 months. Nonetheless, treatment is a big financial decision for most, and we’re here to help you understand different approaches and navigate the difficult world of insurance coverage.
Remember, Results will Come
It takes time for braces to work. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. Just be patient and trust out process, and you will eventually see the masterpiece smile you’ve been hoping for.
Stock up on some of your favorite, braces-friendly snacks to make things a bit easier and more fun even when you’re ready for treatment to be done. You can also explore fun, creative colors for your brackets and bands to show off your personality during treatment.
Follow us on social media to see why treatment is worth it, and how a masterpiece smile can truly change your life with more confidence and better health.