10801 PACIFIC ST OMAHA, NE 68154
When you are wanting to achieve a straighter smile, both Invisalign® and braces can do the job beautifully; whether you are fixing crooked teeth, an abnormal bite or jaws that are misaligned. To make this possible, you will want to take good daily care of your teeth and gums and make sure you follow ALL instructions given by our orthodontic team.
This may seem logical, but you would be surprised how easy it can be to become lax about following the simple instructions. While life does get busy and we’re constantly needing to do a lot of things, be sure your oral health takes its rightful place at the top of the list if you want stellar results after your orthodontic treatment! Here is a list of essentials that you will need to have a successful orthodontic treatment.
Oral Hygiene
Wearing braces? Brush and floss every day and have a toothbrush and flossing method that lets you get in there and clean out those hard-to-reach tooth surfaces (especially between teeth). We are happy to recommend toothbrushes, toothpaste and flossing tools that work best with braces. If you are wearing clear Invisalign aligners, you’ll still want to take the time to brush after meals and floss (preferably before bedtime) every single day! Skipping these steps might be tempting when you’re busy and tired, but you’d be surprised how quickly unwanted dental plaque (bacteria, microorganisms and food particles) can accumulate and harden, leading to cavities and even gum disease! Follow up your daily routine with a mouthwash that kills germs and fights cavities to support your oral hygiene efforts.
Tooth and Orthodontic Friendly Food
Right after you first get your braces or have a routine adjustment, avoid chewing foods that are not on your approved list. This will protect your braces and just as importantly, keep delays from arising. Want your braces taken off at their scheduled time? Then make sure to follow all instructions so we can make that happen! This means staying away from crunchy foods like popcorn, peanut brittle and ice chips. The same goes for sticky, chewy foods like caramels or bubble gum. Even if you are wearing clear aligners, getting bits and pieces of these kinds of foods stuck between teeth can harm them and irritate your gums. Should a wire, bracket, band or attachment come off, call us right away so that we can access the situation.
Attend All Scheduled Appointments
Whether you have routine dental visits or orthodontic visits, be sure to attend them all. Keep in mind that skipping visits can delay and slow down the progress of your treatment plan. Get your teeth and gums examined regularly to keep them healthy. Orthodontic treatment can sometimes create extra plaque and tartar so removing that is important. Attending all of your scheduled braces adjustments or clear aligner corrections helps keep your ongoing alignment plan on track as well as get your next set of aligners.
Cooperation for the Win
If you want to avoid getting cavities, tooth decay, gum disease or misalignments, it is crucial that you cooperate with our Igel Orthodontic team as instructed. These instructions are tailored to your needs to ensure timely success that will keep you smiling for years to come. Remember, our orthodontic team has been doing this successfully for a long time, and we know how important your aligned smile is to you. We are here to help, not hinder. Be a partner with our team and watch your smile blossom and thrive!