How to Prepare for Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic treatment can transform your smile, but the process can take time. To ensure you stay on track with your treatment, you will need to maintain good oral hygiene.

Pre-Treatment Checklist

Your orthodontist in Hamilton, MT, is going to give you a list of things to do before you arrive for your treatment appointment, but we want to give you a head-start on things you’ll need to do before your first orthodontic visit! Below are some of the steps you should plan on taking to prepare for your first visit to our orthodontist in Hamilton, MT.

• Get any required dental work completed. If you have tooth decay, gum disease, or other issues, it’s best to get those taken care of before getting braces put on your teeth.
• Brushing and flossing are more important than ever when wearing braces. We recommend brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once. If you find it difficult to floss with braces, you can use interdental cleaners such as toothbrushes or small wooden sticks that fit between your wires to dislodge food particles.
• Start using a mouthwash that is free of alcohol and dyes. This will help keep your mouth clean between brushings and appointments.
• Make sure to stock up on soft foods to eat after your orthodontic adjustment. Hard foods like apples and popcorn can damage and re-break the wires on your braces, so stick to softer options like oatmeal or mashed potatoes. Cold foods and beverages can also damage the surfaces of your braces, so avoid chewing on ice or sipping coffee through a straw.
• If you’re interested in Invisalign clear aligners, you’ll need to have impressions taken of your teeth. These will be sent to an off-site lab where your custom aligners will be made.
• If you want to whiten your teeth before your orthodontic treatment, this should be done about two weeks before showing up for your consultation. 

The Orthodontic Exam Process

Your initial orthodontic exam will consist of a thorough examination, X-rays if required, and a discussion of potential treatment options. This important visit will address your orthodontic needs to determine if this is the right time for you to visit our best orthodontist in Hamilton, MT, for an orthodontic consultation. 

What to Expect During Treatment

You may experience discomfort and soreness after getting braces put on for the first time, but that should go away shortly after treatment begins. If you continue to feel pain or discomfort after your adjustment appointment, let one of our team members know so that we can help.

Many patients also report feeling pain in their cheeks or lips as they get used to wearing new orthodontic appliances. This discomfort may come and go at first but will ease up within a couple of days as your mouth adjusts. If you are experiencing persistent pain and discomfort in your cheeks, jaw, gums, or lips, talk to your orthodontist in Hamilton, MT. They may have suggestions for relieving this discomfort. We recommend using over-the-counter pain relievers as needed to manage your discomfort.

At your next adjustment appointment, your orthodontist will remove the cement from your tooth posts and make any final adjustments needed before your appliances are set in place. Once the glue is removed, you may experience some soreness or discomfort again for a few days while your teeth adjust to the new positioning created by the braces.

Contact our orthodontist in Hamilton, MT, and orthodontist in Stevensville, MT, at 1116 W Main St, Hamilton, MT 59840, or 3920 US Hwy 93, Stevensville, MT 59870. You can call (406) 363-2200 to learn more.