Tips for Orthodontics and Dental Hygiene

Thanks to orthodontics, people with teeth alignment issues can now have a smile they can be proud of. Nowadays, there are many orthodontic treatments that can be used to deal with a wide range of problems, and there is certainly one that can fix your problem.

While orthodontics can be helpful when it comes to dealing with teeth alignment issues, some make it harder to practice good dental hygiene. Let us take a look at popular orthodontic treatments and how to maintain good oral hygiene while using them.

Popular orthodontic treatments

Traditional metal braces

Traditional braces come to most people's minds when teeth straightening is mentioned. These devices have been around for over a century, and they remain one of the most effective ways to straighten teeth.

Traditional braces use metal brackets and wires to apply pressure on the patient's teeth, pushing them into a better alignment. A bracket is placed on each tooth, and the metal wires connect each adjacent bracket. The tighter the wire is, the more pressure it puts on the patient's teeth.

Traditional braces are normally worn for a period of two to four years. Despite the effectiveness of traditional braces, many people are reluctant to get them and for good reason. These braces are easy to spot in the wearer's mouth, and that makes some people self-conscious. Braces also make it difficult to eat certain foods, since they tend to get lodged inside the bracket or beneath the wires.

That makes the wearer more susceptible to tooth decay. Oral hygiene becomes even more important when a person is wearing braces. A dental brush can be used to remove food particles from the device after every meal.

Clear aligners

These are a great alternative to metal braces. These devices work using the same principle: applying constant pressure on the patient's teeth, slowly pushing them into the desired position. Just like the name implies, they are made from clear plastics that are virtually undetectable when being worn. This allows patients to deal with alignment issues without altering their appearance.

When straightening teeth with clear aligners, patients receive a series of trays, each worn for two weeks. Each tray further down the line pushes the person's teeth closer to the final position. Clear aligners can be easily removed and reinserted so the patient can easily take them out to eat or to clean their mouth. That is another major advantage clear braces have over their traditional counterparts.

Given the snug fit of clear aligners, patients need to make sure their teeth are clean before reinserting it. The device separates the person's teeth from the saliva that cleans them, so if the teeth are dirty, bacteria can create acids that damage enamel without having to deal with saliva.

Conclusion

Orthodontic devices will help you straighten your teeth, but for best results, you should make oral hygiene a priority. That way, your teeth look awesome and well-aligned once the treatment is over.

Thinking about getting an orthodontic treatment? Schedule a consultation with one of our dentists and go over your options.

Contact us today …

For more information or to schedule an appointment with UC Smiles Orthodontics, request an appointment in our Universal City dental office here: https://universalcity.ucsmilesortho.com. Or call us at (210) 593-7623.

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