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Teeth Straightening: Why You Should Get Braces

Braces are a common orthodontic treatment used in the teenage years to straighten out crooked teeth. Wearing braces can take a while to get used to and your dental care during this period is very crucial in determining your teeth's result. Read on to know why you should get braces and what to expect when getting them.

What Are the Reasons For Getting Braces?

Malocclusion

One of the common reasons for getting braces is a malocclusion. This is when there’s a difference in size between the upper and lower jaw. The teeth do not close over each other properly when your mouth is at rest. This crowds the teeth making it difficult to brush and floss teeth properly. Wearing braces can help amend the teeth structure to ensure enhanced oral health.  

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Childhood abnormalities

Some children lose their baby teeth too soon and this causes crowding. Another reason can be constant thumb sucking or using pacifiers past the age of 2, affecting the way your permanent teeth grow in.

  • Other factors
  • Frequent biting of tongue or cutting tongue on teeth
  • Difficulty pronouncing certain sounds
  • Clicking jaws when chewing or first wake up
  • Stress on your jawline when chewing

What Happens During the Consultation?

During the consultation, the dentist will ask you a series of questions about your medical conditions to see if you are suitable for braces. You can expect some X-rays and scan to be taken to check the status of your mouth and eligibility of braces.

Right before placing the braces, you will also get your teeth professionally cleaned to allow a clean slate for the placement of the braces.

 

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How Are They Made?

Braces are made by following the impression of your teeth. Metal braces are the most common type of braces. You have a stainless steel material shaped into specific orthodontic parts that will all go together in your mouth. These are the three parts that go into the making

Brackets

Brackets are little squares bonded to the middle of each tooth. A special bonding glue is used to attach the brackets onto the wire to hold them in place to stabilise the bracket on your teeth for the entire duration of your treatment. Each bracket will have rubber elastics around them to prevent food from getting stuck. 

Archwire

This metal wire will pass through the brackets on each tooth, throughout the mouth, to the back of your mouth. The wire follows the curve of your jaws in a circle. When a thicker archwire is placed or adjusted, it forced the teeth to move into a place which is done every 4-8 weeks.

Ligature elastics

The elastic bands keep the archwire sturdy so it can straighten your teeth effectively.

You are likely to experience some discomfort when you first place the braces due to the tightness in your mouth. The braces put an additional force onto your teeth which explains the mild discomfort and pain.   

 

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Taking Care of Your Braces

While the braces are doing its job to straighten your teeth, you need to make sure you optimise this time to get the best results possible. You need to be mindful of your diet and certain oral habits. 

Diet

For the braces treatment to progress well, it’s important to maintain a proper diet. It is crucial to avoid hard and sticky foods with your braces on as much as possible. These types of food get stuck in between the equipment and make it especially difficult for cleaning.

You are recommended to consume soft foods to put your mouth at ease while chewing. Foods like mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs and yoghurt are great examples of the food you can consume with your braces. 

You should also stay hydrated. It prevents dehydration and dry mouth which is common with braces if you smoke or drink a lot of coffee. With water, there is also a lower chance of bacteria infesting in your teeth and tongue. 

Cleanliness

(A) Brushing

 We recommend everyone to brush at least twice a day, once in the morning and evening. However, when you have braces, you are advised to brush your teeth after every meal. 

 Always pick a toothbrush with soft round bristles as they clean and protect the teeth well. Use small strokes to gently clean around the brackets when brushing so as not to irritate your gums. 

(B) Flossing

 Flossing is another segment of your dental health; you have to inculcate in your routine. You can use general floss or a specific floss made for those with braces. Both of these products work well and do the job of keeping food out of your teeth.

 

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Additional tips

(A) Avoid dry mouth triggers

It is not uncommon to feel dry mouth after getting braces. Some lifestyle options like binge drinking, smoking or excessive coffee consumption dry your teeth. Avoid or limit these products when on braces.

(B) Using mouthwash

Using mouthwash steps up your oral health whether you have braces or not. It keeps your mouth fresh and cleans out any additional bacteria left after brushing your teeth. 

Conclusion

When your braces are removed, your teeth will most likely feel a little freer and can move a broader range in the mouth. You can expect your gums to be inflamed after getting your braces off, but this should go away within a few days as long as you properly brush and floss.

You will need to wear a removable retainer to strengthen your teeth in their novel positions. These can be worn for several years. ​ 

Finding the type that best suits your child’s needs is a process that our Bedok Braces experts can guide you through. We, at Nuffield Dental, are very passionate about reaching out to you, even with your queries. With our skilled dentists, we want to help you anywhere, anytime. Call us and talk to our dental professionals today!

 

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Why Choose Nuffield Dental?

Nuffield Dental is a one-stop, multi-disciplinary dental care centre. At Nuffield, we put you first. We believe in providing personalised service for each patient.

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Nuffield Dental is a one-stop, multi-disciplinary dental care centre. Here at Nuffield Dental, we pride ourselves of our personalised oral care for each and every one of our patients. We need to make sure you get all the help you need to make your dental procedures comfortable, accessible and seamless.

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Our dentists have been accredited in orthodontics for 20+ years. We have accredited dental providers who are skilled in the area of dental implant surgery.

Teeth Straightening Costs in Singapore?

Please call one of our Nuffield Dental clinics in Singapore for pricing details.

Call 65 6833 4353
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