Orthodontic treatment can be beneficial for more than the aesthetic reasons many people choose to get braces. Improving the appearance of crowded, protruding, or crooked teeth is the primary reason many people opt for braces, but they correct misaligned teeth. When you have misaligned teeth, it can put unnecessary stress on your mouth and reduce the functionality of your teeth, which can lead to many problems such as tooth fractures, gum disease, tooth wear, and decay.
When you’re considering braces, there are a variety of treatment options available, all with different levels of cost and length of the treatments. Whether you’re looking for yourself or interested in getting your child braces now that their adult teeth have come through, there are many questions to consider about which treatments to get. In our guide, we cover everything you need to know about getting braces.
Find The Right Dentist
Whether you’re new to the area of Fulham or looking for a new dentist that specialises in orthodontics, the first place many people go when looking for a dentist is to their friends and family for recommendations. However, if those you’re closest to haven’t had braces before, it can be challenging to find a good recommendation for a Fulham dentist via word of mouth. When looking for a dentist in Fulham, it can be beneficial to join one with state-of-the-art equipment and many dentists of varying specialities. This way, you can enjoy the benefit of orthodontic treatment and be able to return for general check-ups or other treatments in the future.
Pick Your Treatment
In the past, patients were limited in the treatments available to them for braces, but now there are more options for what type of braces you can choose; conventional, lingual, tooth coloured, and clear removable braces. Conventional braces with the traditional go-to treatment for many, and they consisted of standard metal brackets which were affixed to the teeth and connected by wire. They are still a popular choice today as they offer many benefits. For some people, especially adults, it’s essential to have more discreet braces, which the other three types provide. Lingual braces are similar to the traditional conventional braces, but the fixed brackets and wires are on the non-visible sides of your teeth.
Tooth coloured braces use the same technique as conventional braces with one difference, the braces are matched to the colour of your teeth, so they are less noticeable. Finally, we have clear removable braces, which are excellent if you don’t want food to be stuck to your braces after you eat. If you’re not sure which type would suit you, speak to your dentists about the benefits of each and which would be better for your lifestyle.
Know The Costs
Once you’ve decided on treatment and which braces you would like to try, speak to your dentist about the costs involved throughout the process before you begin. Having the proper budget in place before you get your braces will ensure that there are no setbacks in your treatment. Many dentists offer payment plans to cover the treatment, which can be an excellent option even if you currently have the budget to cover it. Teeth straitening is a long process, and problems needing funding can occur unexpectedly in other areas of your life.
Manage Discomfort
When people have braces, they very rarely talk about the discomfort and pain that can come with this treatment. If you’re using conventional braces, when you have them tightened, it can cause pain and soreness for several days following the tightening. If you have a low pain threshold, don’t worry, the discomfort with braces is mild and shouldn’t be more than an irritation for a few days. The discomfort and mild pain can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers if necessary, but many patients have reported that they never needed to use the form of pain management.
Some people have the discomfort for the entire treatment and use alternative methods to manage the pain, such as eating soft foods, massaging the gums, icepacks, and oral anaesthetic. However, if the pain is too much, it is vital that you speak with your dentist as soon as possible. Mild discomfort is normal, but extreme pain is not and could mean that you need the braces readjusting.
Oral Hygiene
When you have braces fitted, it is crucial that you keep on top of your oral hygiene. Whether you opt for the conventional braces or the clear removable braces, you need to continue brushing and flossing to ensure no food becomes stuck behind or around the braces. It can be more challenging to reach the different areas of your mouth when you have braces, so it’s important to take your time when caring for your teeth and gums.
A good habit to develop before you get braces is to carry a travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, and a gum safe toothpick with you wherever you go. Food can easily get stuck between the wires, and having these items with you will help you deal with the discomfort quickly.
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