At OrthoMax™, we do everything we can to ensure the time you spend wearing braces is the best experience possible. However, some issues may arise throughout your journey; we hope you take note on these tips and tricks to make your experience the best it can be.

1. Never Stop Smiling! Although you have now braces, that shouldn’t hold you back from smiling. Over 4 million Americans wear braces, 25% of them being adults, so it is not something that you should be ashamed of. You would be surprised at how many individuals try and cover up their mouth when they have braces. Smiling can also be contagious, where as it only takes 17 muscles to smile, and 43 muscles to frown.
2. Carry Orthodontic Wax with You. When you first receive your braces or go for a monthly check up to tighten the brackets, it is normal to feel some discomfort within your mouth. It is always a great idea to keep orthodontic wax with you at all times. The wax can act as a barrier between your cheeks/lips and the metal brackets/wires and eliminates the friction between the two causing less irritation and discomfort in your mouth. The orthodontic wax can help a bracket that may have fallen off, or if the wire is poking your cheeks. If you feel wires and brackets are causing too much irritation and you are in pain, please give us a call for further instructions.
3. When to Remove Your Rubber Bands. Rubber bands are what help your teeth shift into the place they need to be in. Even though you may be a little sore at first, make sure you are ONLY removing your rubber bands when you are about to eat or brush your teeth. If you are not constantly wearing your rubber bands, this may result in your time wearing braces being delayed or halted.
4. Check Braces for Bent or Lose Wires. Regularly When your teeth are shifting into the correct place, it is sometimes common to experience the wire poking into your cheeks and irritating your mouth. If this happens, you should call our office immediately to set up an appointment for repair. A tip in case of emergency is sanitizing finger nail clippers and having someone help you safely clip some of the wire.
5. Make a To-Go Braces Care Kit. A to-go kit can be a life saver in many different ways, including bringing the kit to school, to work, or leave it in your car for emergencies. Products that go inside the kit can include: A travel toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and more importantly, dental wax. Many patients have said they recommend having a to-go kit when you are a braces wearer.
6. Be Aware With Your Retainer. Don’t be fooled by the freedom you feel when you have your braces removed, it is relieving but you still need to maintain your new straight teeth. Wearing your new retainer is mandatory and the only way to make sure your teeth stay straight. We have a few different options when it comes to retainers, your orthodontist will provide you with the best option that he/she finds fitting for your lifestyle.

We hope you enjoyed learning about those tips and tricks and that you can use them in your routine with your new braces. Remember that if you have any problems with your braces to call us as we are here to help you throughout this journey.

When people are interested in getting Braces or Invisalign, they often have multiple questions to ask their Orthodontist. While asking questions is great, Orthodontists often get asked the same common questions. We are here to tell you about the 7 common myths about orthodontic treatments.

1. Can Anyone Provide Braces And Aligners, Not Just An Orthodontist?

This is false. Only an Orthodontist who has had
advanced training at an accredited residency can call themselves an
Orthodontist specialist or be a member of the American Association of
Orthodontists (AAO). Making sure that your Orthodontist is an AAO member is
crucial not only for your future beautiful smile, but more importantly your
safety.

2. The Orthodontist Is Expensive

Most AAO Orthodontists offer free consultations
and flexible payment plans. Most offices are willing to work with their
patients to help them achieve the beautiful smile they desire. AAO
Orthodontists carefully customize their patients’ treatment plans, and the fees
will depend on the complexity of specific cases. 

3. You Don’t Need To Go To See Your Orthodontist
Often

In the past, patients needed to have monthly
check ups to see their Orthodontist. The good news is that today’s technology
allows patients to extend their appointments to about 8-10 weeks. Your teeth
are shifting often, so your Orthodontist wants to see you frequently to be sure
that your treatment stays on course.

4. Treatment Takes Several Years

The time of how long you need to wear your braces
will depend on the severity of the treatment that is needed. And of course, if
you are not skipping your scheduled appointments. From simple cases that may
only take a few months, to more complex treatments that can take much longer.
Your AAO Orthodontist has all the right experience, training and skills to
deliver amazing results in the shortest amount of time possible. Remember that
one of their goals is to make you happy with your smile, which also includes
getting your treatment done in a safe, timely manner.

5. Orthodontic Treatment is Mainly A Cosmetic Reason

While most individuals think that Orthodontic
treatments are to simply only achieve a beautiful smile, there’s much more that
meets the eye. While improved appearance is the most obvious result, you’d be
surprised  to learn that when your teeth
and jaws are aligned right, it means a proper functioning mouth like: chewing,
biting and your speaking is improved. That means that you receive a dual
treatment!

6. Orthodontists Only Offer Metal Braces

At our Orthodontist office, you will find that we
offer four different types of braces for everyone’s individual needs. These
four options include: Invisalign, ceramic braces, regular braces, and six in 6.
Invisalign are seen as the clear alternative to braces, which we see a lot of
adults getting. Ceramic braces are translucent and also very popular with our
adult patients. Our regular braces are our most common type of braces made out
of stainless steel. And lastly, we offer six in 6. Six in 6 are our clear
braces that gently straighten and align teeth in an average time of just six
months.

7. Orthodontic Treatments Are Strictly For Kids Only

This is very much false. We at the OrthoMax™ have a ton of adult patients. While it is more common to have younger patients, we love helping our adult patients achieve the smile that they have always desired. Whether our patient is young or old, anyone can benefit from an Orthodontic treatment!