If you have recently learned you are going to need to have braces put on your teeth, there is no telling how many questions are running through your mind right now, especially about what is expected once they are secured in your mouth. Maybe you are worried about special care that will be part of your morning dental routine at home; perhaps there is a fear about how it will affect your appearance or what it will feel like. Rest assured, these are all very normal questions to ask when something new is introduced into your life, and Star Orthodontics is happy to help get you the answers you need.What Are Braces?
Chances are if you discovered you need to have braces, there is an excellent reason behind this. Many people who need to have orthodontic work find out it is because there is something going on with the way their teeth are either coming in, or might come in. This could include overbites, underbites, misalignment, impaction, or significant gaps that compromise how they feel about their appearance.
Most issues that need to be corrected can be done through the use of braces, which are designed to gently push the teeth into the best position possible for optimal oral health.
Braces are attached to the teeth through a series of brackets, wires, and rubber bands. In general, you will need your braces anywhere between a year to three years. Much of this depends on the level of work required to adjust your teeth. Some of it is contingent on the health of your mouth in general and your personal level of dedication to the care and upkeep of your braces.
Caring for your braces is not complicated, either, requiring about the same level of maintenance you would with standard oral care. Brushing after you wake up, before you go to bed, and after every meal keeps your braces in excellent condition so they can do the job they are designed to do.
The Benefits of Braces
While it is better to receive orthodontic treatment while you are still in development as an adolescent, braces can still be used effectively during any stage of your life. Some adults, even with the option to use a less obvious treatment for adjustment, such as an aligner, often decide to go with traditional braces because of how well it can work. Plus, it takes much of the responsibility out of your hands and allows us full control over how your teeth become realigned.
A retainer is an essential part of the aftercare for your braces. Once they are ready to come off, the treatment does not stop there. The retainer can be worn throughout the day or at night to ensure your teeth do not shift back into the original position. This makes getting braces an even better option since the long-term benefits and upkeep establish a lifelong commitment to superior oral health.
If you are interested in learning more about the incredible benefits of orthodontic treatment, please do not hesitate to give us here at Star Orthodontics a call at 361-371-8555 to schedule an appointment to learn more about braces and how they work.
