What Braces Are the Fastest?

Braces are the most common orthodontic treatment used to straighten teeth and address alignment issues. There are a number of treatment options that can help you achieve a more uniform smile. For many people considering braces, they are concerned about how long the treatment lasts. You may even wonder, what braces are the fastest?

What Braces Are the Fastest?

Patients often wonder which form of braces are the fastest. It’s important to understand that a variety of factors determine how fast your treatment will be. The following factors determine how long your treatment timeline will be.

Dental Issues:

For common dental issues, the treatment timeline can last one year or less. However, more complex dental issues can take up to two years to fully address. The dental issues you have can also determine which type of dental treatment is right for you. Talk with your dentist in Arcadia about the status of your dental issues, including your projected treatment timeline.

Adherence to Treatment Plan:

This is likely the most important factor when it comes to staying on your projected treatment timeline. Your dentist will provide you with instructions for how to care for your oral health during treatment, including food choices, oral hygiene practices, and regular appointments to check in on your progress. Following your dentist’s instructions is integral to the success of your treatment in addition to ensuring you stay on track with your timeline.

Treatment Type:

This relates to the dental issues you have as that will determine the type of treatment you will receive. If you have more common dental issues, clear braces in Arcadia may be right for you. Addressing common dental issues is often faster than treating more complex issues. Complex dental issues are often treated with traditional metal braces which can take longer.

Types of Braces

The two most common types of braces include clear aligners and traditional metal braces.

Clear Aligners:

Clear aligners are a common and highly effective dental treatment option. The treatment involves a series of aligners that shift your teeth into place. They are created specifically for you and your unique dental needs. Most patients change their aligners every two weeks and treatment can take one year or less. The benefits of clear aligners often outweigh traditional braces for those with common dental issues.

Traditional Metal Braces:

For more advanced dental issues, including misalignment, traditional metal braces are the most common treatment. Unlike clear aligners, traditional braces include brackets and wires that are tightened to gradually straighten your teeth and address alignment issues. Depending on your dental issues, treatment with traditional braces can take between one to two years.

Maintaining Your Treatment Timeline

Improving your smile depends on your ability to adhere to your treatment plan. The following can help you stay on your planned treatment timeline.

Daily Oral Care Routine:

Maintaining a consistent daily oral care routine can ensure that your oral health is in good shape during treatment. This includes brushing at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush for two minutes. You should also floss at least once a day.

Dental Appointments:

You should follow your dentist’s recommendations about checkups to ensure you are making progress with your brace’s treatment. In addition, it’s important to get a dental cleaning and checkup at least every 6 months.

Clean and Maintain Your Aligners:

Cleaning your aligners and aligner case daily is integral to the success of your treatment. Clean your aligners and tray when you brush and floss your teeth. It’s also important to avoid eating or drinking (anything outside of water) with your aligners in.

Dental Consultation

If you are considering braces treatment, contact the team at Premier Dental Aesthetics. They are skilled in a variety of dental treatments, including clear aligners. They have helped countless patients improve the look of their smile and increase their self-confidence. Contact their team today for a consultation so you can improve your dental aesthetic!


Can You Whiten Teeth with Braces?

As frustrating as it may be, in-office whitening is not recommended for people who currently have traditional braces with fixed brackets. The brackets are bonded to your teeth, making it impossible for your dentist in Arcadia to uniformly apply their whitening solution. Attempting to do a whitening treatment with fixed braces would likely result in visibly marked teeth when your braces are finally removed.

Can You Whiten Teeth with Braces?

Being able to see where your brackets were is far from ideal. So it’s best to schedule your in-office whitening for a time after your braces are removed. If you’re lucky, you may be able to schedule your teeth whitening in Arcadia for the very same day. In other good news, some types of braces will allow you to have your teeth whitened whenever you like.

Other Kinds of Braces

When you think of braces, you’re probably thinking of a mouth full of metal. While traditional braces are still commonly used, they’re far from being the only option available to you. Today, two other types of braces are commonly used. Both of these options will allow you to have a professional whitening treatment whenever you wish.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are very similar to traditional braces with one major difference. With lingual braces, the brackets are fixed to the back of your teeth.

This option offers the speed and control of traditional braces without the outward appearance of them. The only real downside is increased cost and increased discomfort. However, if you’re willing to push through the initial irritation, lingual braces can be a great option.

Thanks to the fact that lingual braces are fixed to the back of your teeth, there’s absolutely no reason that you can’t have a full in-office whitening treatment.

Invisalign

You may be more familiar with Invisalign and other similar products. These braces are a category all their own. They consist of a series of removable trays that fit over your teeth. Each set of trays shifts your teeth slightly with the goal of eventually giving you the perfect smile.

The only downside of Invisalign is that you can take them out. And you might do that more than you should. For the trays to work properly, you have to wear your Invisalign for 22-23 hours out of every day. Taking a break here and there to rest your jaw could ultimately set you back weeks or even months.

On the upside, they are fully removable. You can enjoy all of your favorite foods without worrying about them getting caught or breaking a bracket. It also means that you can have in-office teeth whitening whenever you like. Just make sure you put your trays back once your dentist gives the all clear.

Choosing Professional Teeth Whitening

There are countless products on the market that claim to help you whiten your teeth at home. Unfortunately, none of them are capable of matching up to the instant, quality results you can expect with your local cosmetic dentist.

There are two reasons for this discrepancy.

Your dentist has the expertise to safely use products that are 10x stronger than those sold in stores.
Your dentist can apply their teeth whitening solution with purpose to make sure you get even, beautiful results every time.

Essentially, it is very possible you could end up spending more on drug store products that barely work. And you still might not have decent results. Do you want to learn more about in-office teeth whitening? What about the benefits of enlisting the help of a professional? Then talk to your dentist in Arcadia today.


How to Survive Your First Week of Braces

Braces can transform your smile and improve your oral health. Despite their amazing benefits, getting used to your braces can take some time. Preparing for your first week of having braces is necessary to smoothly transition into living with braces. You may feel some initial soreness so it’s important to make yourself comfortable as your mouth adjusts. Below you will find helpful tips on how to survive your first week of braces.

How to Survive Your First Week of Braces

The benefits of braces can be transformative for your oral health and your appearance. Consider the following tips so you are prepared for your first week of having braces.

Plan What You Can:

Planning ahead can be a game-changer during your first week with braces. Many people have highly similar experiences during their first week of braces. Because of this, it’s pretty easy to plan in advance to be sure you have all of the necessary supplies beforehand. Talk with your dentist in Arcadia about what supplies they suggest. Floss threaders, orthodontic wax, a new toothbrush can all be really helpful. Have some over-the-counter pain relief to help as your teeth and gums adjust. Talking with your friends or family who have had braces before can be a huge asset in terms of getting through your first week.

Be Creative with Meals:

Eating during your first week with braces can be slightly challenging, but it’s not impossible! The first day or two, stick to foods that you don’t have to chew. Smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal, pudding, and soup are all really easy on your mouth as you begin transitioning. After the first few days you can eat foods with a little more substance, including pasta, soft veggies, and seedless bread. Near the end of the week, you can likely incorporate completely solid food into your diet. Be mindful of how you feel and take your time as you incorporate more foods into your diet.

Oral Hygiene Routine:

Even if you feel some soreness, it’s important to stay consistent with your daily oral care routine. This includes brushing at least twice a day, preferably after every meal. Thoroughly brushing your teeth for at least two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush is necessary to get all of the harmful debris out of your braces and in between your teeth. Flossing is just as important, if not more, when you have braces. Floss at least once a day, and if you only floss once, floss at night. Your orthodontist in Arcadia can provide you with a oral hygiene routine that takes into account your unique needs.

Salt Water Rinse:

Some people experience irritation when they first get braces. A saltwater rinse can help relieve pain, soreness, and help sores heal faster. If you experience significant irritation, use a saltwater rinse five to six times a day for 30 seconds. The recipe is simple as you’ll just need to add one-half of a teaspoon to one cup of warm water.

Orthodontic Wax:

The brackets used for braces can cause sores in your mouth. These can be painful, so it’s important to prevent them from happening in the first place. The best method for preventing bracket sores is using orthodontic wax. While the areas on your mouth will eventually toughen up, using wax in the beginning can help ease the pain during the transition period.

Stay Distracted:

Most people transition into braces treatment without any issue. You may experience some soreness and dietary changes, but this is temporary. Plan what you’ll do the first week in advance. Download your favorite podcasts or read that book you have been putting off for months. Most importantly, keep yourself distracted and busy so you can get through the first week seamlessly.


Tips for Adults with Braces

While many people associate braces with teenagers, several adults go through the process of getting braces too. It may be easier to understand and deal with the effects of braces as an adult. But there are still some expert tips you should be aware of. Whether you are young or old, you are taking an important step by fixing your misaligned teeth. Let’s look at some tips for adults with braces.

Tips for Adults with Braces

Our dental experts at Smiles of Arcadia will give you the best tips for adults with braces so you can learn how to deal with this dental transformation in the easiest and most comfortable way. It’s time to start forming new habits so you can enjoy a brand new set of straight teeth as quickly as possible!

Discover Your Options

Before you get your braces put on, you have the opportunity to choose what type of braces will work best for you and your lifestyle. For example, many people opt for invisible aligners such as Invisalign, which are removable and easy to clean. This can help you get past the radar undetected if you don’t want people to know you are wearing braces. Traditional metal braces may be more sturdy. But you will have to take note of the care instructions required to make sure you are still maintaining good oral hygiene.

Stay Away from Sticky Foods

It can be tricky to eat certain hard, sticky, or chewy foods when you have braces. Whether you have metal, ceramic, or invisible aligners, certain foods can potentially cause some damage. Corn on the cob, for example, can get stuck in parts of your teeth that are nearly impossible to remove. If you aren’t sure what you can and can’t eat, just know that you are usually in the clear with soft foods.

Practice Oral Hygiene

Like we said earlier in this post, it is crucial that you maintain good oral hygiene while wearing braces. While some parts of the mouth may be more difficult to reach, you should still take the time to brush your teeth every day. In fact, you might want to bring your toothbrush around with you when you travel. It’s important to brush at least twice a day, and use a mouthwash rinse to be extra certain that the bad germs are washed away.

Check in with Your Dentist

You should be scheduling regular visits with your orthodontist as frequently as possible. Your dentist will likely speak with you about what to expect in terms of repeated visits. Your braces may need to be adjusted every few weeks, or you may need to pick up a fresh pair of invisible aligners next time you stop by for a checkup. It may not feel like your teeth are moving, but they can significantly change in a short amount of time. Your orthodontist will want to check up on the status of your teeth to catch any problems early.

Use Orthodontic Wax

Are you wearing traditional braces and are getting annoyed at the metal ends that sometimes stick out and poke you? You should invest in some orthodontic wax. Your dentist can provide this material for you as it will help to create a smooth surface between the wire and your mouth. It’s an instant pain reliever that can be a real lifesaver when you feel a sudden bout of pain.

Transform Your Smile with Affordable Braces Today!

At Smiles of Arcadia, we provide expert services and top-rated treatments to patients dealing with dental health issues. If you are looking to improve your smile and feel better about the way you look in the mirror, reach out to our orthodontist in Arcadia and schedule a one-on-one consultation today. Learn what type of braces are best for you. We look forward to improving the health of your smile!