5 Ways to Get Your Braces Off On Time

Orthodontic braces aren’t painful, just uncomfortable at first. Eric, a high school senior and Cuozzo Star, says, “There’s no pain now that my mouth has adjusted. I can see my teeth getting straighter and can’t wait to show off my Cuozzo smile.”

 Even though braces are relatively painless, adults and kids alike want to be finished with treatment asap. Braces require constant care as well as some sacrifice—and, like Eric, every patient wants to reach that finish line where they can show off their new and improved smile. While braces typically take about two years or so to work their magic, there are a few simple things you can do to put your treatment on the fastest and smoothest timetable possible.

Start at the Right Time
For kids, getting braces applied sooner doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be able to have those braces removed sooner. If teeth are still growing in, it’s best to wait. Some orthodontists might recommend “training braces,” but these really just prolong the process because you’re getting braces before actual braces. At Cuozzo, we have an early observation program that children can enter for return visits every 6 months until everything checks out to begin treatment.

Follow the Appointment Schedule
There’s a lot of expertise that goes into a treatment plan for braces. Orthodontists actually complete additional education and accreditation requirements after graduating from dental school to gain specialized training in the art of teeth straightening which is why your orthodontist knows exactly how often to schedule your visits. Once your braces are placed, they will schedule regular follow up visits, usually every 8 weeks or so.  Make sure you keep every one of those appointments! Regular adjustments to your braces are crucial to staying on track for removal.

Wear Your Elastics
In addition to aligning the teeth with brackets and wires, some patients also wear elastics to move their bite into the ideal position.  If your orthodontist asks you to wear elastics, one of the most important things you can do to get your braces off on time is to wear them as instructed!

Be Mindful of Food Choices
Living with braces unfortunately means living without certain foods. Candy is out for the foreseeable future, which can be really difficult for kids (yet another reason why we want to make sure we’re not placing braces too soon).

Generally, foods that are hard, chewy or sticky can damage braces and reduce their effectiveness. In some cases, patients may have to modify the way they eat certain foods that provide important nutrition. For example, while a child wearing braces shouldn’t bite into an apple, but the apple can be cut into thin, bite-sized pieces. See our quick guide of foods you can and can’t eat with braces. Instead of dwelling on the latter, focus on the former! There’s still a lot of delicious food to enjoy.

Take Care of Your Teeth, Take Care of Your Braces
Braces can make it a little more difficult to brush and floss thoroughly. Meanwhile, doing so is all the more important to keep your braces free of food and bacteria. Your orthodontist can recommend special tools and techniques to keep up with your oral hygiene while wearing braces. Follow the orthodontist’s instructions, and you should be in good standing during your follow-up appointments. The more you can keep your mouth clean and healthy, the better able your braces will be to do their job and the sooner you can enjoy that new, bright and straight smile.

 Eric says, “I can't wait to take my braces off because then I can eat all the foods I love, like bagels, popcorn, chewy gum and candy. And I’ll feel great with them off, too, when I have super-straight teeth and feel confident every time I smile.”

 Learn more about the types of braces and other teeth straightening treatments available at Cuozzo.