Your choices and approach during your orthodontic treatment can have an enormous impact on not only the final outcome, but on how long it takes and even your level of comfort during the process.
Here are a few things you can do that can positively affect the outcome of your treatment:
Be Positive, Be Proactive
Let's be honest. Learning you need braces isn't the best news you could get, and the process itself can sometimes be a bit uncomfortable and frustrating. But if at the outset you make the decision to take a positive approach to your treatment, and to do everything you can to make it go smoothly, you'll be doing yourself a huge favour in the long run when it comes to achieving a positive outcome.
So always keep your ultimate goal in sight: the straight, beautiful, healthy smile you've always wanted!
Good Oral Hygiene
Your oral hygiene routine becomes more important than ever when you have braces. It's a very important factor in the outcome of your treatment that you have complete control over.
Braces have lots of little crevices in which food particles and plaque can collect.
So be extra careful and thorough when cleaning your teeth, do it regularly, and take your time! doing so will prevent plaque and food particles from building up in your braces and causing gum disease, tooth decay, discolouration of teeth, and bad breath.
Attending Regular Appointments
Attend regularly scheduled appointments with your dentist and orthodontist. Adjustment appointments are important, of course, since without those, your braces will soon stop doing their job. But it also includes regular check ups and dental cleanings, too!
Sometimes you'll have to reschedule an appointment. In these cases, try to do so right away or as soon as possible; if you put it off, you’ll just wind up prolonging your treatment process.
Wearing & Caring for Your Orthodontic Appliances as Prescribed
We're not telling you to only take out your Invisalign aligners to eat, brush and floss or to wear your retainer full time because we’re trying to make you suffer! It's always our goal to make your treatment as efficient and effective as possible. Not wearing your appliances as prescribed, or not following all care instructions carefully, will only slow down your progress in the end.