When it comes to orthodontic treatment, mainly braces, it seems as though everyone is an expert. While there are many opinions about braces and tips on how to get the most out of your orthodontic treatment, it’s important to know which advice is legitimate and which advice you’re better off avoiding. The best advice is always going to come from your orthodontist, not your neighbor or not the random person you ran into at the supermarket. So don’t listen to this bad braces advice.
Skip Orthodontist Appointments to Save Time
Your treatment is going just fine, so there’s no need to see your orthodontist as often as they request, right? Surely you can skip an appointment or two to save a little time. After all, your schedule is busy and it’s challenging enough as it is to keep up with it all. Well, in skipping your orthodontist appointments, not only do you risk missing an important piece of your treatment, you also risk extending the length of time you’ll be in braces. It’s best to stick to your orthodontist’s plan to avoid problems later.
Opt for DIY Treatment Instead
Braces are just a bunch of metal and wires, so you can just do it yourself. Wrong! Braces are made of specialized materials that work in a specialized manner, which means paper clips, fishing wire and whatever else you find in your junk drawer simply won’t work. If you’re thinking about fixing your teeth yourself, it’s important to note orthodontists have years of specialized training and utilize specific equipment to fix your smile. This one is best left to the professionals, as you don’t want to risk injuring yourself or getting an infection.
Wait Until Your Child Is a Teen to Start Treatment
Thinking you have to wait to see an orthodontist until your child is older is completely untrue. In fact, it’s recommended to see an orthodontist as early as age seven to find and fix your child’s issues early on. The fact that permanent teeth are not in yet and their bones are still growing often makes treatment much easier than waiting until your child is older.
Beware! Braces Leave Spots on Your Teeth
There’s a fear in some patients that braces will leave scars on their teeth. Although this isn’t entirely false, the main reason braces may leave white marks on the teeth is due to poor oral hygiene during treatment. Being sure to properly and regularly brush and floss will help you avoid any issues when it comes to marks appearing on the teeth.
Don’t Get Braces Because They Hurt!
Many patients worry about how much braces are going to hurt, which makes many hold off on treatment or avoid it completely. The truth is there’s nothing to worry about! The only time you may feel some slight discomfort is after getting your braces adjusted. This should only last a couple of days and can be alleviated by using the following:
- Over-the-counter pain medication
- Ice
- Eating soft foods
- Rest
In a day or two, you’ll be back to your normal self and you’ll be one step closer to that perfect smile you’ve been working toward.
If you’ve been given some bad braces advice, speak with your orthodontist in Ripley WV for clarification. Chances are, this “advice” isn’t really advice at all. Get the answers you need from the right source, a professional who has devoted their career to helping others get beautiful smiles for life.
