You know your braces are going to give you that straighter, more beautiful smile that you have always wanted, but the wait can seem interminable while you are wearing them. While everyone keeps telling you that the final result will be worth the wait, you are getting antsy. Luckily, there is hope. If you are growing impatient with the process and just want to get those babies off, there are some ways you can speed up the process and get your braces off quicker. A big part of it is to always follow your orthodontist’s instructions.
Follow food restrictions
If you are a gold medal athlete in gum chewing or have a big sweet tooth, then the dietary restrictions that come with braces are probably really weighing in on you. While munching on some hard candy or gummy bears once in a while might not seem like a big deal, it can have a big impact on your treatment. You are told not to eat these foods because they can bend your wires and even pull your teeth in the wrong direction. A simple mistake like this can prolong your treatment which is exactly what you don’t want.
If you also love to chew ice, then it is very important to nip this bad habit in the bud now before any more damage can be done. Not only is chewing ice bad for your teeth and could be a sign of a nutritional deficiency, it can also damage your wires and brackets. You should also avoid other bad habits like chewing on pencils and your fingernails. Try to only use your teeth for chewing food.
When wearing braces, you should also to cut up your food into smaller bites so you don’t hurt your braces or your teeth. While you normally might enjoy just sinking your teeth into a whole juicy apple or crunching on crisp vegetables, for now cut everything up into pieces to eat. Orthodontists also advise you to avoid carbonated drinks and sodas too. Anything that could possibly delay your treatment should be avoided as much as possible.
Wear those elastic bands!
If your orthodontist gave you elastic bands to help speed up the straightening process, then make sure you wear them when you are instructed too! While they take some getting used to and might seem more fun as a projectile across the room than in your mouth, your orthodontist gave them to you for a good reason. Make sure you wear them at all times except when eating. Avoid playing with them and taking them in and out. That is a surefire way to lose them. It is also very easy to forget to put them back in at night when you are ready for bed so try to make it a part of your routine. If you don’t wear them every day, they are not going to be able to do their job, which is to transform your smile as quickly as possible.
Don’t skip out on appointments
Finding time for your regular dentist appointments can be such a bear that adding in the more frequent orthodontist appointments may seem like an impossibility. It is important though that you make these appointments a priority in your schedule and that you don’t miss any of them. When you miss an appointment, you are setting back your treatment by weeks or months. Of course sometimes an emergency happens and you have no choice but to reschedule. In those incidences, make your new appointment as soon as possible to keep any delay to a minimum.
Keep up with proper oral hygiene
Brushing and flossing your teeth can be a little more difficult with a mouth full of brackets and wires so you need to put in extra effort to cleaning your teeth. Food particles and bacteria can get stuck between the braces and your teeth and can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Ask your orthodontist about tools you can use to get a better clean with braces. An electric toothbrush might be a wise investment at this time. The healthier your mouth, the faster your teeth will realign. If you want to get your braces off quicker, it is crucial that you pay extra attention to your oral hygiene every day.
Be gentle with your teeth
Your teeth are put under a lot of pressure during the straightening process as it is, so it is important that you avoid any bad habits that cause any undue pressure like biting down hard on your teeth and grinding them. Some people have a nervous habit of doing this and it causes extra wear and tear on your teeth. If you notice that you do this, try relaxing your jaw when you feel it tightening up. If it happens a lot when you are sleeping, talk to your orthodontist about ways to prevent it.
Ask about accelerated treatments
Besides following all your orthodontist’s instructions, there are some accelerated treatments available that you can try. They not only help your teeth move faster, but they help your mouth adjust to the braces as well. Ask your orthodontist about Propel Chairside Excellator and AcceleDent and see if he or she offers a free consultation.
Propel Chairside Excellerator is a simple procedure that is done in the orthodontist’s office. It accelerates bone metabolism so that your teeth can move into their new positions more easily, shaving some time off your treatment.
AcceleDent is a device that can be used at home. How it works is that you use it to apply a gentle pressure to your teeth at different angles to speed up the bone remodeling process. AcceleDent is only available by prescription so ask your orthodontist if you are a good candidate for this accelerated treatment.
While there are no quick and easy ways to accelerate the teeth straightening process, following these tips can help make sure that you get your braces of quicker so you can enjoy your improved smile. Be patient and follow all your orthodontist’s instructions and you will have a straighter, more beautiful smile before you know it.
