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At Symmetrix Orthodontics we treat patients of all ages, from children, adolescents, to adults; however, the American Association of Orthodontics recommends an initial consultation at age 7 at which point we can determine if an early interceptive treatment might be indicated. Schedule your or your child's consultation today and we will take a full set of orthodontic records so that we can advise you on the best course and timing of treatment for your smile.
It is totally normal to have some discomfort associated with tooth movement for the first 24-72 hours after an orthodontic adjustment. Typically, this discomfort can be managed easily with over-the-counter pain medication as needed, such as Tylenol, but distraction and keeping yourself busy is often the best medicine!
Hard/crunchy, and sticky/chewy foods should be avoided with braces and palate expanders as they can dislodge or break brackets and appliances. While we understand that mistakes happen, breakage of your braces can slow down your overall treatment time so we want to avoid this as much as possible. If your appliances do break, please give our office a text or call so that we can help set up a time for a repair in office.
Optimal oral hygiene is key to a smooth orthodontic treatment. When your appliances are placed, we will review this in GREAT detail with you. Thorough brushing (capturing all areas above, below and in between your braces) is key. Tools such as proxy brushes, Platypus flossers, interdental toothbrushes, and a WaterPik are excellent supplemental tools to keep your braces or palate expander sparkling clean.
Poking wires can be a very normal part of orthodontic treatment, as wires can slide as a result of expected orthodontic tooth movement. If you have a poking arch wire, you can use a cuticle cutter or nail clipper to smooth an irritating wire at home. A pencil eraser can also be used to shift a wire that has slid off to one side back into place. If you are unable to make your arch wire comfortable at home, wax is also an excellent tool to hold you over until you are able to make it into our office for us to adjust the wire for you.
You’ve probably heard from your parents, friends, and even your orthodontist, the long list of foods and beverages that you should avoid while wearing braces. While it may seem like you’re giving up a lot, it is important to avoid eating certain foods. We also want you to enjoy your braces experience, so here’s a quick list of foods to avoid and foods to embrace while wearing braces.
Foods to avoid while wearing braces:
- Chewy foods — bagels, licorice
• Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, ice
• Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing gum
• Hard foods — nuts, hard candies
• Foods that require biting into — corn on the cob, apples, carrots
Foods you CAN eat while wearing braces:
- Dairy — soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
• Breads — soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts
• Grains — pasta, soft cooked rice
• Meats/poultry — soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
• Seafood — tuna, salmon, crab cakes
• Vegetables — mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
• Fruits — applesauce, bananas, fruit juice
• Treats — ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cake
Orthodontic braces are a big part of life for many people your age. While braces may have had a bad reputation in the past, today’s braces make it easy to look good and feel good! Please contact our practice to schedule your next orthodontic checkup.
Your Invisalign aligners should be worn for 20-22 hours per day to achieve optimal tooth movement, and each aligner should be worn for 10-14 days minimum. Aligners should be removed for eating and drinking (anything besides water), as well as during brushing. If you miss more than 4-5 hours of aligner wear per day, 1 additional day should be added to that aligner's duration.
If you lose an Invisalign aligner during treatment, don't panic! In this instance, you will move on to the next aligner in your sequence and add on as many days as you have missed from the previous aligner to the next aligner's course.
Retention is one of the most vital portions of your orthodontic treatment. Whether you are treated with braces or Invisalign, maintaining your final alignment is achieved by wearing retainers and this is a LIFETIME commitment. Your teeth will be held in place for as long as you wear your retainers, but if retainer usage is discontinued it is very likely that your teeth will begin to relapse back. When your treatment is completed at Symmetrix Orthodontics, we will review your retention protocol with you and continue with scheduled follow up visits in office for approximately 3-6 months.