orthodontist appointment Archives

Having a bunch of metal in your mouth may already seem intimidating. If so, you’re likely wondering what to expect when your braces need to be adjusted. Your first follow-up appointment will probably happen after the first couple of months of treatment, and we think it helps to know ahead of time what to expect when you get your braces adjusted.

Why Are Follow-up Appointments Important?

Successful follow-up appointments after your braces have been installed are vital for your treatment to be effective. In addition to tracking your progress, these appointments allow your orthodontist to make the adjustments needed to keep your teeth moving properly. However, your orthodontist isn’t necessarily tightening your braces, as is commonly thought.

What Happens During the Appointment?

To know how your treatment is going so far, your orthodontist will need to get a good look at your teeth. Each band will be carefully removed, leaving the archwire loose but in place. Next, your orthodontist may take the archwire off of your teeth, leaving only the brackets left and offering a clear look at how your teeth are adjusting so far.

In addition to assessing how your teeth are moving during your treatment, your orthodontist will also take the time to see how you are keeping up with cleaning. Be sure to be open about any questions or concerns you have so you leave each appointment with a clear idea of what to do moving forward.

After assessing the progress of your teeth, your orthodontist will determine if any adjustments in the positioning of your bands and archwire need to be made. You will get new bands and maybe a new archwire if necessary to keep moving your teeth in the right direction.

When your fresh archwire and bands have been installed, they may feel a little strange, but you’ll quickly get accustomed to them. However, if you feel something poking your gums or cheeks, be sure to let the orthodontist know so he can check it before you leave.

Will the Adjustment Hurt?

It’s possible that your mouth could experience some discomfort after getting an adjustment. This could be due to the new bands or from your orthodontist slightly altering the course of your teeth in a specific spot. This discomfort often subsides after a few hours and should last no more than a couple days. Be sure to let your orthodontist know if the discomfort is unusually intense or doesn’t subside in a few days, and schedule a follow-up visit sooner if needed.

You’ll likely have adjustment appointments scheduled about every six to eight weeks to keep your treatment moving smoothly along toward a healthy, beautiful smile. Contact Austin Orthodontics today to learn more or to schedule an appointment.

You’ve spent your whole life without braces until now, so it only makes sense you would feel a little apprehensive about getting orthodontic treatment. You are likely wondering just how you feel with braces, what will be safe to eat, and how to best go about your daily routine with braces. Luckily, these questions will all be answered when you visit us here at Austin Orthodontics, so you’ll be fully prepared to handle life with braces. Here are some important things you will know after your first appointment.

Food Restrictions

One of the most important aspects of orthodontic treatment to be prepared for is knowing what is okay to eat and what foods could damage your braces. While you won’t have to just stick to applesauce or jello, you’ll want to avoid especially crunchy foods like granola, hard candy, or apples. It’s also best to avoid sticky or chewy foods like taffy or jerky.

To prepare yourself for a braces-friendly diet, stock up on softer foods and spend a couple weeks figuring out which foods you like best. If you will be using Invisalign, you’ll have no restrictions on the foods you can eat, but you’ll still need to remember to have your aligners out when you eat and to keep up with regular cleaning.

Cleaning Your Teeth

Speaking of cleaning, you will have to take extra good care of your teeth while you have braces to avoid tooth decay and staining. Since food can easily get trapped between brackets, you should carefully brush your teeth with toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush after each meal. It’s also good to rinse with mouthwash every day to thoroughly clean your teeth. In addition, you will have to be extra careful when flossing, since you will have to maneuver the floss around the brackets and wires.

Dealing with Initial Discomfort

When you first get your braces, you may experience some discomfort due to them rubbing against the inside of your cheeks or lips. This won’t always be the norm with your braces, but you’ll certainly want ease the discomfort when you start your treatment. Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water will help ease the pain in your mouth while also facilitating quick healing.

It also may be difficult to talk right when you get your braces installed since there is suddenly less space for your lips, teeth, and tongue to interact. This will also go away after a short time as you get used to your braces.

When You Will Get Your Braces Taken off

One of the biggest questions you will likely have when you start your treatment with braces is just how long you will have to keep your braces in. The answer will vary from person to person, but the most common range to expect is anywhere between 18 months and two years. At Austin Orthodontics, we always give our patients a rough estimate of when they will be done with treatment, while emphasizing the fact that the end date may change based on the way your teeth react to treatment.

While this is some of the most important information to get at your first orthodontic appointment, we love answering all of the questions our patients have. So be sure to ask us whatever you want to know at any time during your treatment.

What to Expect When Your Braces are Adjusted