Getting braces is an exciting step toward the smile you’ve always wanted! Whether you’re wearing traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, or clear aligners like Invisalign in Brentwood, the journey to your perfect smile is just beginning. As a Harvard-trained periodontist specializing in advanced dental care at Dental Care of Brentwood, I’ve helped countless patients achieve incredible results. Today, I want to share my professional insights on how you can make the most of your orthodontic treatment.
Understanding Your Braces Journey
Before we dive into the tips, let’s talk about what makes orthodontic treatment successful. Research shows that braces have an impressive 88-90% success rate when patients follow proper care instructions. However, the difference between good results and amazing results often comes down to how well you take care of your braces during treatment.
The average orthodontic treatment takes about 18-24 months, depending on your specific case. That might seem like a long time, but trust me – when you see your final results, you’ll agree it was worth every day. Plus, with the right approach, you can actually help speed up your treatment and get better results.
The Five Pillars of Braces Success
1. Master Your Oral Hygiene Routine
This is absolutely critical. When you have braces, food particles and plaque can easily get trapped around your brackets and wires. If left there, they can cause tooth decay, gum disease, and even permanent white spots on your teeth called decalcification.
Here’s what I recommend to all my Brentwood orthodontic patients:
Brush at least three times daily – ideally after every meal. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Angle your brush toward the gum line and clean around each bracket carefully. Take your time – it should take about three minutes to do it right.
Floss every single day – Yes, flossing with braces takes extra effort, but it’s essential for preventing cavities between your teeth. Use a floss threader or orthodontic floss to get underneath the wires. If you’re struggling with traditional floss, consider getting a water flosser. These devices use a stream of water to remove food particles and are incredibly effective for braces wearers.
Use fluoride mouthwash – An antimicrobial, fluoride mouthwash helps reduce inflammation, prevents cavities, and keeps your breath fresh. I recommend using an alcohol-free formula, which is gentler on your mouth, especially if you have any irritation from your braces.
Create a portable care kit – Keep a travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, orthodontic wax, and a small mirror in a zippered bag. Take it everywhere you go. This way, you can clean your teeth after eating, even when you’re at school, work, or out with friends.
2. Follow the Food Guidelines Carefully
I know it’s tough to avoid some of your favorite foods, but protecting your braces is essential. According to clinical studies, bracket and wire damage is one of the main reasons orthodontic treatment takes longer than expected.
Avoid these problem foods:
- Hard foods like raw carrots, apples, bagels, nuts, and hard candy
- Sticky foods like caramel, taffy, Starburst, gum, and Skittles
- Crunchy foods like popcorn, chips, and ice
- Foods you bite into with your front teeth
Here’s the good news: You don’t have to give up these foods entirely! Just modify how you eat them. Cut apples, carrots, and corn off the cob into small, bite-sized pieces. Choose soft bread instead of crusty baguettes. Enjoy yogurt, smoothies, soft fruits, mashed potatoes, pasta, eggs, and other braces-friendly foods.
If you’re wearing Invisalign or clear aligners, you’ll remove them to eat, but you still need to be careful about sugary foods and drinks. These can cause plaque buildup and tooth decay, which can compromise your treatment results.
3. Never Miss Your Adjustment Appointments
Here’s a data point that might surprise you: Your teeth actually move into position between your orthodontic appointments, not during them. The adjustments we make every 4-8 weeks are what keep that movement going in the right direction.
When you skip or delay appointments, your treatment can stall completely. Your elastics lose their strength, and your wires need to be adjusted to maintain the proper pressure on your teeth. Missing just one appointment can add several weeks to your total treatment time.
If you need to reschedule, call our Brentwood office as soon as possible and try to keep the new appointment close to your original date. We understand that life happens, but staying on schedule is one of the most important things you can do for your treatment success.
4. Wear Your Elastics and Appliances as Prescribed
If I’ve prescribed rubber bands (elastics) or other appliances, wearing them exactly as instructed is crucial. Studies show that patients who wear their elastics for at least 12-13 hours per day achieve success rates of 90-93%. However, patients who wear them less than 6 hours per day have success rates similar to receiving no treatment at all – around 41-48%.
Think about it this way: You’ve invested time and money into your orthodontic treatment. Those tiny rubber bands are doing the heavy lifting to move your teeth into the right position. Skipping them or being inconsistent can literally waste months of your treatment time.
For clear aligner patients wearing Invisalign in our Brentwood practice, you need to wear your aligners 20-22 hours per day. That means you only remove them to eat and brush your teeth. Always carry your case with you and never wrap your aligners in a napkin – that’s the number one way people accidentally throw them away!
5. Protect Your Investment
If you play sports or participate in activities where you might get hit in the face, you absolutely need to wear a mouthguard. The American Dental Association reports that athletes are 60 times more likely to have a dental injury when not wearing a mouthguard. A damaged tooth can seriously complicate your orthodontic treatment and may require us to pause your braces while your dentist addresses the injury.
What Makes My Approach Different
At Dental Care of Brentwood, we combine cutting-edge technology with personalized care. My training at Harvard School of Dental Medicine, along with my Master of Medical Sciences in Oral Biology, allows me to understand the complex biological processes happening during your orthodontic treatment. We use advanced 3D imaging and treatment planning technology to ensure precision throughout your treatment.
As a periodontist, I have specialized expertise in gum health and the supporting structures of your teeth. This is especially important during orthodontic treatment because moving teeth can affect your gums. I monitor your periodontal health closely to ensure your gums stay healthy throughout the entire process.
We also take a holistic approach to dentistry. That means considering how your orthodontic treatment impacts your overall health, not just your teeth. We use biocompatible, metal-free materials whenever possible and focus on minimally invasive techniques that support your body’s natural healing processes.
The Data Behind Successful Treatment
Let me share some fascinating research that shows why following these guidelines matters:
Treatment Success Statistics:
- Proper orthodontic care results in 88-90% treatment success rates
- The orthodontic relapse rate without proper retainer use is approximately 15-20%
- Over 75% of orthodontists recommend retainers after braces removal to prevent relapse
- In the first 3 months after getting your braces off, 60% of patients wear their retainers more than 10 hours daily
Chart showing the correlation between daily wear time and treatment success rates. Success rates increase dramatically when patients follow prescribed wearing schedules.
Beyond the Basics: Advanced Tips for Optimal Results
Stay hydrated – Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps flush food particles from around your braces and keeps your mouth healthy.
Manage discomfort naturally – It’s normal to feel some soreness after adjustments. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help, but you can also try rinsing with warm salt water. For Invisalign patients, switching to new aligners at night before bed can help you sleep through the initial adjustment period.
Keep track of your progress – Take “before” selfies and compare them to photos throughout your treatment. Seeing how far you’ve come is incredibly motivating when you’re in the middle of treatment!
Address problems immediately – If a bracket comes loose or a wire breaks, don’t wait. Call our Brentwood office right away. We can usually see you quickly for repairs. In the meantime, you can use orthodontic wax to cover any sharp edges that might irritate your cheeks or tongue.
Maintain regular dental cleanings – Continue seeing your general dentist for cleanings every six months (or more frequently if recommended). Your dentist and I work together as a team to ensure your teeth stay healthy during orthodontic treatment.
The Retention Phase: Protecting Your Results
Once we remove your braces, your teeth will want to shift back to their original positions. This is why the retention phase is so important. Research shows that 81% of patients who wear their retainers at least one night per week maintain their orthodontic results successfully.
I’ll provide you with custom-made retainers designed specifically for your teeth. Whether you receive a Hawley retainer, a vacuum-formed retainer, or a bonded retainer, wearing it as prescribed is essential. Many patients need to wear retainers nightly for at least 6-12 months, then transition to a few nights per week long-term.
Think of it this way: Wearing braces moves your teeth into the right position, but wearing retainers keeps them there. You’ve invested so much time and effort into creating your beautiful smile – don’t let it slip away by neglecting your retainer!
Your Partner in Orthodontic Excellence
Here in Brentwood, California, we’re fortunate to have access to some of the most advanced dental care in the country. At Dental Care of Brentwood, located at 11980 San Vicente Blvd, we’re committed to providing you with the highest quality orthodontic care using the latest technology and techniques.
My team and I believe in creating a comfortable, supportive environment where you feel heard and valued. We take time to explain every step of your treatment and answer all your questions. Whether you’re considering traditional braces, ceramic braces, or Invisalign, we’ll help you choose the best option for your unique needs and lifestyle.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re considering braces or are currently in treatment, I invite you to schedule a consultation at our Brentwood office. We’ll perform a comprehensive evaluation, discuss your goals, and create a personalized treatment plan designed specifically for you.
Remember, getting the most from your braces isn’t complicated – it just requires consistency, commitment, and the right guidance. Follow these tips, stay in close communication with your orthodontic team, and before you know it, you’ll be showing off the confident, beautiful smile you’ve always wanted.
Your journey to an amazing smile starts with taking the first step. Let’s make it happen together!
Dr. Justin Raanan, DDS, MMSc
Harvard-Trained Periodontist
Dental Care of Brentwood
11980 San Vicente Blvd, Suite 811
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Serving Brentwood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and West Los Angeles
Specializing in advanced periodontics, dental implants, holistic dentistry, and comprehensive orthodontic care. Committed to providing personalized, patient-centered treatment using cutting-edge technology and minimally invasive techniques.