How much do you know about orthodontics? Orthodontics focuses on using appliances in order to straighten teeth and improve not only the appearance of a person’s teeth but also their functionality. From a young age, it is encouraged that children visit the dentist at least every year in order to detect and correct any dental issues before they develop into more serious issues later on in life. It is said that around a third of child patients are in need of orthodontic treatment, so it is important to visit your dentist regularly to identify any dental issues as soon as possible.
Orthodontic treatment makes use of braces in order to straighten teeth that are either crooked, protruding or crowded. In addition to this, braces are also used to correct a person’s bite whether they have an underbite, overbite or a crossbite. All these dental issues can cause long term problems for individuals if they are not treated.
There are four main types of braces that dental practices provide to their patients in order to assist them on their smile journey; fixed braces, headgear, functional appliances and removable braces.
One of the most well-known ways to treat and correct such issues which occur with teeth is by using traditional metal braces.
Traditional Metal Braces
A common orthodontic treatment, traditional metal braces make use of metal brackets which are fixed to a patient’s teeth and linked with wires which are tightened throughout the dental treatment in order to gradually move the teeth into the desired position.
Usually, you should be able to eat normal food within days of having the traditional metal braces fitted onto the teeth, however, it is advised to avoid foods that can potentially damage the braces and/or your teeth. Such foods to avoid include fizzy drinks (however it is recommended that you always drink using a straw), chewy foods such as toffee and hard-boiled sweets.
It is also important that whilst you have these braces on, that you continue to take utmost care of your teeth by continuing to brush twice daily and flossing after every meal. It is recommended when starting your teeth straightening treatment that you invest in a brush which is made specifically to clean your teeth whilst having braces. Maintaining this routine means that your teeth will remain healthy and the braces also stay in good condition.
Traditional metal braces are considered to be an effective way to treat dental issues such as overcrowded teeth and are also a less expensive orthodontic treatment when compared to other options.
One of the main disadvantages of having traditional metal braces is that they are clearly visible in an individual’s mouth and therefore everyone can see you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. If this doesn’t appeal to you, you may want to consider other teeth straightening options like clear braces.
Clear braces can either be fixed or removable which means for the fixed option, they are similar to traditional metal braces in that they also consist of metal brackets and wires. However, there is one major difference; clear braces are almost invisible; which makes them a popular choice with adults