Orthodontic treatment is beneficial to all people irrespective of your age. An estimated 50% of the population could benefit from some form of orthodontic treatment. Early treatment can help prevent more serious problems from arising, and/or make treatment at a later age less complicated and faster. As such, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends visiting an orthodontist for all children by the age of 7 years. 

That said, the ideal orthodontic result requires the patient to be proactive in their treatment. In other words, the more interest, enthusiasm, and dedication you show towards your orthodontic treatment in Ocala, FL, the sooner it will be complete with better results. It’s important that you attend appointments regularly, keep your braces or aligners clean and safe, and avoid hard and sticky foods that can interfere with a successful outcome.

Here are some ways that visiting an orthodontist can transform your life:

• Eliminates unbalanced biting forces that may cause uneven wear of tooth enamel 
• A great smile that improves your appearance, confidence, and improved self-esteem 
• Straight teeth are easier to clean for healthier teeth and gums, and reduced risk of gum disease and tooth decay. 
• Correct cases of misalignment that strain the jaw joints and cause TMJ disorder. Temporomandibular jaw disorders (TMD) make it difficult to open and close the mouth, sometimes causing clicking and popping in the jaw, facial pain, and chronic headaches.
• To hold or create space to replace missing teeth, preventing adjacent teeth from shifting. Your orthodontist can also work with your general dentist or specialist to install dentures, implants, or bridgework to give you the best result. 
• Malocclusion can strain your jaws, causing you to grind your teeth or clench the jaws (bruxism). Over time, the increased pressure can damage your teeth and jaws. Straightening your teeth can reduce the risk of bruxism. 

Final Note 

Orthodontic treatment is intended to improve both the function and aesthetics of your mouth. Successful treatment can transform your smile to boost your confidence and self-esteem while giving you an efficient bite and healthy teeth. 

Orthodontics plans vary considerably from case to case, as the orthodontist attempts to correct the misalignment of teeth and jaw structure in order to improve your smile and overall oral health. This implies that different patients will have different experiences during their treatment. 

Here are some of the things you can expect for the duration of treatment:

Sore Mouth in the First Week 

From clear aligners to braces to orthodontics headgear, most orthodontic appliances cause your teeth to feel sore for the first week. It is normal to experience some discomfort during this time as your teeth begin to move from the forces being exerted to straighten them. But after the first week, the treatment becomes much simpler. Your orthodontist will prescribe some pain medication, such as ibuprofen or Tylenol to increase your comfort for these first few days. 

Gum Irritation for the First Week 

Your gums and cheeks may also become irritated for the first few days, but this should end in 1-2 weeks once they adapt to having braces on the teeth. During this time, your orthodontist may recommend rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater. Swish the saltwater solution in your mouth for 30 seconds and then spit it out in the sink. Repeat this several times, 3-4 times a day until the sores heal. 

Change in Diet 

The foods you eat also play an important part in the level of comfort that you experience during your treatment. If you’re wearing aligners, you need to remove them when eating. This allows you to enjoy many different types of food without the risk of destroying your aligners. But if you’re wearing braces, you need to restrict yourself to consuming soft and “mushy” items that won’t damage the brackets and wires. 

Some comfortable soft foods to consume during orthodontics include oatmeal, pancakes, eggs, yogurt, mashed potatoes, cooked pasta, soup, and smoothies. Avoid soft drinks, snacks, and candies that have high sugar content, as well as hard crunchy items like peanuts, corn nuts, popcorn, and ice. You may also need to cut your meat and raw vegetables into tiny pieces. 

Caring for Your Orthodontic Appliances 

Your orthodontist in Ocala, FL will instruct you on how to brush and floss your teeth and recommend special tools to help you clean underneath the wires if you’re wearing braces. If you’re using aligners, you should also clean them properly to prevent plaque buildup and subsequent damage to your teeth.