You may be excited about the idea of a brand new smile, but not quite as much about wearing metal brackets and wires in order to get it. Thankfully, the length of time braces stay on for to achieve the beautifully straight and functional smile you have been dreaming about likely won’t be that long at all. In fact, the majority of patients can anticipate achieving their smile goals in about two short years or less – almost no time at all!

Factors that Influence How Long Braces Stay On For

Whether you’ll need to wear your braces for a little more time, or for a little less, will depend on your unique smile needs and the recommendations of your orthodontist. In general, more complex or severe cases are going to require more time for the braces to do their job, and do it effectively enough to last a lifetime (with proper care and maintenance). On the other hand, however, simpler cases might not even take the average two years time to transform your smile. It all depends on what needs to be done, so talk to your orthodontist to see what they think for a more accurate timeframe.

How to Reduce Your Time in Braces

If you want to wear your braces for as little time as possible there are a few things you can do, all of which will likely be discussed with your orthodontist and their team when you first start your treatment. As a general rule, you want to make sure you take your orthodontist’s advice and avoid hard or sticky foods, like chewing gum or taffy, that could damage your braces. Since they’re working hard to move your teeth into the desired position, any damage could set back progress and make the treatment take longer.

Looking to perfect your smile with braces? Book an appointment with Profile Orthodontics in Claremont or Joondalup to discuss your unique treatment plan. 

Getting braces is a relatively normal routine. Believe it or not, it can also be quite exciting, especially if you are self-conscious about your teeth and smile. However, there are a few foods you should avoid while you have braces, so you these may be the foods you should eat before getting braces!

Eat All Your Favourite Hard Candy!

Once you have braces, you have to steer clear of hard, chewy, sticky candy as it can damage and break your braces.  If you love candy, like liquorice, caramels or toffee, pick some up and savour it before going in to have your braces placed on the teeth. If you do choose to indulge in your best sweet treats before your orthodontic treatment begins, try not to overdo it and never forget to brush and floss afterwards.

Other Foods to Eat Before Getting Braces

There are other foods that also do not do well with braces as they risk popping the brackets or bending the wires. In the week before your braces appointment, go ahead and enjoy some of the treats you will need to stay away from during your treatment, such as:

• Popcorn – braces tend to catch popcorn and it can really stick
• Hard lollies and nuts – these are the number one culprits of broken braces wires
• Hard crust pizza
• Bread rolls
• Chewy foods – they can damage the brackets, too
• Crunchy vegetables and fruits such as carrots and whole apples

If you haven’t been doing so, make sure you head to your general dentists for routine checks as well as a scale and clean. Your orthodontist needs your gums and teeth to be in tip-top health before they can fit your braces.

What’s more, make sure you thoroughly brush and floss in the run up to your braces appointment so that your teeth and gums are in the best condition possible on the day the braces are put on.

Always remember to eat sugary foods in moderation!

If you are considering braces, book an appointment at Profile Orthodontics to discuss your individual treatment plan.

If you're an adult who's considering the different treatment choices accessible to help you obtain your dream smile, then you've probably heard the term "lingual braces." Numerous people are discontent with the appearance of their teeth and consider straightening them. However, the thought of wearing noticeable metal braces can put off teens and adults alike. But, for those people, there is another option: to have braces on the inside of the teeth. Metal-made, lingual braces are attached to the back of the teeth, providing a nearly undetectable way of obtaining that ideal smile. Here's what you should know about these braces.

Braces on the Inside

Lingual or "inside" braces are a way of straightening the teeth that have become popular with adults because they're virtually invisible. To maintain a concealed treatment, your dentist will attach the braces to the inside of your teeth instead of the outside, making them undetectable.

They're tailor-made for your teeth. Your orthodontist takes a digital scan or precise impression of your teeth, which he or she then uses to customise bracket position and  transfer trays. The brackets are then attached to the back of the teeth to hold the wire in place. 

What Makes Them Different

These braces are ideal for individuals who wish to straighten their teeth discreetly. This could be an adult or teen who'd prefer for people not to know that they are having treatment. 

They're also popular if you have a big day coming up such as a wedding. The braces are extremely versatile and can treat various malocclusion problems. While braces are certainly worth the investment, lingual braces have unique requirements.

Since they're custom-made, and treatment is usually more time intensive, they can be more costly than other options. A major factor to consider is the technical expertise and training required. This is why not all orthodontists offer braces behind the teeth. 

Having a beautiful smile is worth the cost of braces and temporary inconvenience. However, some people hesitate to invest in them in spite of the difference they make. In this case, lingual braces are a solution to this issue. Whether they're invisible or not, determine the braces that suit you. After all, a stunning smile with straight, healthy teeth is worth the effort!

To discuss the treatment options available to you, book an appointment at Profile Orthodontics in Claremont or Joondalup.