How to Avoid Failure in Treatment

Last Updated on February 22, 2022 by Gio Greenard

An estimated four million Americans are currently undergoing some sort of orthodontic treatment. Whether they wear braces or Invisalign, the reasons for choosing orthodontic treatment are the same–we all want to express our most beautiful smile. In this post, we’ll show you how to avoid failure in treatment. Let’s get cracking.

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Contents

How to Avoid Failure in Treatment

Unfortunately, millions of Americans also experience delays in treatment because they fail to follow the steps for care outlined for them by their orthodontist. They realize all too late that taking proper care of mouth, teeth, and gums ensures that they are hardware-free and smiling once more with a dazzling smile. If you want to avoid failure in treatment, follow these simple steps for uncovering your best metal-free smile:

Clean Teeth and Hardware Regularly

It is now more essential than ever that you commit to cleaning your teeth and hardware on a regular basis. Arm yourself with the right kind of equipment for stellar dental care, including:

Toothbrushes
ADA approved toothpaste
Fluoride rinse
Dental floss

In addition, ask your dental care professional about interproximal brushes–these are tiny, disposable brushes that can fit between tooth surfaces and wire brackets, helping to further clean teeth where buildup and residue can quickly accumulate.

Follow all Care Instructions to the Letter

If you are instructed to wear rubber bands, wear them! If your trays need cleaning and disinfecting daily, please do yourself a favor and follow these care instructions. If your care provider requests that you come in every so often for ongoing evaluation, doing so will actually speed up your process, as it will help your dentist to evaluate your condition and make changes that can make your care more efficient.

Schedule Regular Appointments

While we are on the subject of appointments, schedule all appointments that will be necessary for keeping up with your care plan. If you were to miss one or more of your planned appointments, it could result in you having to wear your orthodontia for a longer period of time. Who wants that? Make your appointments, and shave some time off your care plan.

Wear a Mouthguard when Playing Sports

Many people find themselves having to undergo unplanned and uncomfortable oral surgery as a result of getting injured while playing sports. The use of a mouthguard when wearing orthodontia helps protect your teeth and your investment from harm. Many dental professionals will custom fit a mouthguard that is designed to fit your mouth comfortably. It may not look attractive, but it will save you time and money in the long run.

Avoid “Off limit” Foods

Staying away from hard, sticky, or overly crunchy foods is smart behavior when you are in treatment. Indulging in these foods can not only leave residue in and around teeth, but you run the risk of breaking wires and brackets that cannot withstand the extra stress. If you have removable trays, make sure you take them out before eating, and clean teeth thoroughly before putting them back in. Doing so will protect both your teeth and your hardware.

Prevent Damage

Following care instructions should prevent most incidents of damage from occurring, but accidents do happen from time to time. Staying away from forbidden foods, caring for your teeth regularly, and wearing protective mouth guards when you participate in sports and more rigorous activities will help you to keep your hardware in top working condition.

If Damage Occurs, deal with it Immediately

Continually dealing with brackets and trays that fall off, broken wires that cause tension to slack, and other issues will increase your care time. Alerting your dental professionals promptly and allowing them to fix discrepancies will keep your care plan moving in a forward direction.

Stay away from Whitening Products During Treatment

While the portions of your teeth not covered by brackets might gleam nice and white, you must remember that your hardware is covering part of your tooth, which will not be bleached. The result will be a dark patch in the center of your tooth after braces are removed. After all of the work and waiting that you have done to reveal your new, straighter smile, the last thing you want to see is a discoloration on each tooth. Wait until your treatment has ended before attempting to whiten or bleach teeth.

Don’t shy away from Adjustment Sessions

Regardless of whether you’re dealing with trays or wires, there will be periods of adjustment when your hardware will be tightened and adjusted to keep teeth moving in the right direction. This can be uncomfortable, particularly the first twenty-four hours after an adjustment. These adjustments are a necessary part of the care plan, and they use occur in order for you to experience and enjoy the end result of a straighter smile. Grin and bear it—-and have some soft foods and Tylenol handy to get you through.

Ask for Advice

There are times when wearing hardware is uncomfortable and annoying. Keeping track of removing and replacing mouth trays, storing mouthguards for use in practices, and dealing with cheek and tongue irritation from wires and brackets can be hard to deal with. Talking to your dental professionals about things you can do to make the process go more smoothly will be necessary for easier treatment.

Wear that Retainer

Many patients end up going in for a second round or orthodontic care due to the fact that they didn’t follow up care with the use of a retainer. If you neglect retainer use, expect your teeth to shift back into their former positions, causing you stress and embarrassment. A second round of orthodontic care costs just as much as the first, if not more. Follow all care instructions given to you by your dental professionals to avoid failure in treatment and for the most effective outcome.

Conclusion

Short-term inconvenience for long-term gain; that is the nature of orthodontic treatment. It will all be worth it in the end when you reveal your most beautiful, vibrant smile! Avoid failure in treatment and say hello to a future with a big smile with Dr. Pannuci.

Which tip will you try first???
Either way, let us know by leaving a comment below right now and continue the conversation on Twitter over @drpattipanucci

220 N. Aviation Blvd. Suite A
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Phone: (310) 379-0006

How to Avoid Failure in Treatment | 11 FAST FACTS 2020

Dr Patricia Panucci

Dr Patti Panucci attended the University of Louisville School of Dentistry for four years, where she graduated with a DMD degree (May 2000) among the Top 10 in her class. Following that, she headed west to Los Angeles to complete her three-year residency at one of the top-ranked orthodontic programs in the country – the University of Southern California.

Along with her certificate in orthodontics, Dr. Panucci earned a master’s degree in craniofacial biology. During those three years, she fell in love with Southern California beach life and decided that this was where her future lay.