My teeth are really goofy, what can I do about them?

If your teeth are very crooked, the best course of action is to be fitted for braces. What sort of braces would suit you best depends on the extent of the problem, so talk to your dentist about the options available to you. Lots of people have a daily battle with confidence over the state of their teeth – a goofy set of gnashers are difficult to ignore – but there’s no need to hide your smile if you’ve got the time to fix it with orthodontic treatment.

What are my options?

Initially, you will be assessed by your dentist, and then possibly referred to an oral surgeon or orthodontist for more specialised treatment. If your teeth are extremely goofy, your options will be limited to some degree, but there are still some systems that could work for you.

Traditional metal braces – These ‘train track’ style orthodontics are probably what comes to mind when braces are mentioned, they are still widely used for more difficult patients, but they are slowly being eclipsed by faster, more effective techniques. Metal wires and brackets are permanently bonded to the outside of your teeth for the length of your treatment.

Ceramic braces – These are similar in design to metal braces and they are also fixed in place with wires, but they are far less obvious, thanks to their colour. The main problem with ceramic brackets is that they can become stained over time and – like their metal counterparts – they can be difficult to clean around.

‘Invisible’ braces – Sometimes called ‘aligners’, these clear resin shields are discreet and very effective, they fit perfectly over the natural teeth and gently push the them into a more desirable position over a period of time. Because they are removable, they are much easier to look after and live with than fixed appliances; however, they are not generally suitable for more severe cases, as their range of movement is limited.

Dental veneers – Most dentists would recommend some type of aligning device before opting straight for veneers. This is because a lot of reshaping and sculpting is required to fit the synthetic shells over the natural teeth, it’s very expensive and not always an option for people with very crooked teeth. Despite the instant results they provide, orthodontic treatment is usually sought before taking such drastic action.

Will it hurt?

Having a brace fitted is a fairly painless procedure, but you may feel some discomfort or soreness in the days after – it’s to be expected that your teeth protest a little to being pushed and pulled around. The good news is that the pain can usually be controlled with over the counter medication, and it shouldn’t last more than a few days, after that you probably won’t even notice you’re wearing them.

Fixed braces can cause other problems because of the metal wires used to hold them in place, they might rub or irritate the gums as you become accustomed to them. In some instances, the brackets have been known to come loose or the wires bent out of shape, this requires a return trip to the dentist, but shouldn’t take too long to fix.

How should I change my day-to-day habits?

Unfortunately, you do need to consider adjusting your lifestyle in small ways if you have braces fitted. This doesn’t mean a complete overhaul of your daily routine, just changing a few things will make the orthodontic treatment more successful.

What you eat – Fixed braces are far more difficult to deal with than removable ones, where food is concerned. Avoid chewing gum and other sticky sweets like toffee, they can get stuck in the small parts of the braces and are really difficult to remove. Lots of sugary snacks in general can have an adverse effect on hard to clean parts of the teeth, so stick to a healthy diet to keep your teeth looking their best.

Activities – Contact sports and vigorous exercise can lead to injuries that are exacerbated by a fixed brace; twisted metal and broken teeth are not a great combination. For the duration of your treatment, try to avoid situations where physical contact may lead to injuries, or at least wear a gum shield to minimise the damage. If you’re wearing a removable device, remember to take it out before you take part in sports.

Cleaning – It’s obvious that you need to make more effort with cleaning if you have any kind of brace, but you would be surprised how many people neglect this part of the treatment. Temporary appliances, like aligners or retainers, can be taken out for brushing and flossing, just remember that they need to be cleaned too, there are millions of bacteria in the human mouth that need to be kept under control. Fixed braces can make life a little bit more difficult, but after enough time you should be able to adapt to a new cleaning routine. Remember to brush and floss at least twice a day, and buy some small wire flossing tools to clean around the brackets.

How long before I have nice teeth?

That really depends on their condition at the start of your treatment, some orthodontic appliances can take up to three years to reach the desired outcome, others can work in as little as three or four months. If you want to have your teeth assessed, talk to one of the dentists at the Pearl Dental Clinic, they can provide you with honest, expert advice, and give you an idea of the treatment time expected. The fastest option isn’t always going to give the best end results, so you should be prepared to wait for the braces to do their job. A typical course of orthodontics will require you to return to the dentist’s office once a month, to make any adjustments and to see what changes have taken place. Once the treatment is complete, you may have to wear a retainer to keep the teeth in their new position, it’s important that you follow any instructions given to you after your braces are removed, you don’t want to undo all that hard work.