Originally Posted On: https://robisonortho.com/blog/signs-orthodontic-treatment-effective/

Look for These Signs Your Orthodontic Treatment Is Effective

Braces are designed to slowly change the position of your teeth and address the alignment of your jaw. Because orthodontic treatment takes place over time, it is essential to patiently follow your orthodontist’s instructions to ensure that the treatment is effective. But how do you know that your orthodontic treatment is proceeding as expected?

Understanding how your braces are working can help you notice several signs of progress along the way. This, in turn, can help you stay motivated to take proper care of your braces and adhere to the orthodontist’s care instructions. Learn more about how you can tell whether your braces are working and celebrate the small wins throughout the process.

Early Progress: Adjusting to Braces (Weeks 1-4)

What to Expect:

In general, during the first few weeks after your braces are installed, you can expect some mild soreness and the need to adjust to new habits.

Mild Soreness

After your orthodontist installs your braces, it is normal to experience some pain and soreness. The basic mechanics of braces involve pressure placed on the teeth to push them into different positions, resulting in a healthier and improved smile. You will likely feel mild discomfort anytime the braces are tightened or when the teeth begin to shift positions. Fortunately, this discomfort typically eases within a few days.

New Habits

Changing your dental hygiene routine is also an important part of getting braces. It is essential to make sure that you brush your teeth, preferably after each meal, to remove food that has become stuck to the braces. You may want to invest in an interproximal brush that can clean the spaces surrounding the brackets and underneath wires that are difficult to reach with a normal toothbrush.

Additionally, it is important to floss at least once a day. It may take longer to floss with braces, but it is necessary to prevent bacteria and tooth decay from occurring. You can use the traditional method to floss by gently guiding a strip of floss up and down each tooth in an upside-down U shape. Make sure to slowly and carefully remove the floss from getting beneath the wire to avoid pulling the wire from its brackets.

Alternatively, you can try using a water flosser. Water flossers work exactly as you would expect: a forceful stream of water is used to wash away debris from between the teeth. This is a simpler and faster way to floss, as you don’t have to worry about guiding floss underneath the wires and around the brackets.

You can also try a floss threader. This inexpensive option allows you to use traditional floss but makes the process easier, as it pulls the floss through the wires with ease. These threaders can be found at your local grocery store, or your orthodontist may provide you with a free sample that you can try before purchasing your own.

Signs of Progress

Braces take time to work, and there likely will be times when you wonder if they are effective, especially if it doesn’t look like there are any changes in the first few weeks. Keep a lookout for signs of progress to reassure yourself that your orthodontic treatment is working.

Alignment Changes

Towards the end of this period, you may begin to notice small movements in the alignment of your teeth. Even if the change in the position of your teeth is minimal, it is still a sign that the braces are working correctly.

Spacing Changes

You may also notice that teeth that were formerly crowded have more room or that the large gaps in between your teeth are starting to become smaller. The way that your top and bottom teeth meet may also change as your bite begins to improve. As your teeth move closer to their correct positions and your mouth becomes more accustomed to their movement, you should be experiencing less discomfort.

Tips for Success

Successful orthodontic treatment requires patience and perseverance. While there may be times when the process feels overwhelming or never-ending, rest assured that following your orthodontist’s instructions will ensure your success in achieving a healthier smile.

Address Pain or Irritation

As mentioned, you can expect some discomfort after getting braces for the first time. This is because you are exposed to an unfamiliar orthodontic appliance in your mouth, and your teeth and jaw are under pressure from the brackets and wires for the first time. Fortunately, there are several ways to help you manage the pain.

One solution is to use orthodontic wax. Wax can be applied to the inside of your cheeks, lips, and gums to create a layer of protection from any metal and wire rubbing against your mouth. An ice pack can also be effective in reducing pain and inflammation in the days after your braces application. If the pain is too much for you to handle, take over-the-counter pain medications.

Avoid Damage

You’ll also want to avoid causing damage to the braces or putting unnecessary pressure on your teeth. Avoid foods that are hard or sticky, like toffee, gum, and hard candies. You can eat hard fruits and vegetables like apples or carrots, but cut them into small pieces to avoid damaging your braces.

If you notice loose wires or brackets or are experiencing severe pain that lasts longer than a couple of weeks, schedule a visit with your orthodontist.

First Few Months: Visible Changes (Months 1-3)

What to Expect

As you continue to wear your braces, you’ll begin noticing more significant changes. As your teeth are shifting into their correct positions, you can expect some changes in the way your mouth looks and feels.

Changes in Alignment

You will likely notice that they feel loose. You may also notice that the alignment of your bite has changed further. For example, gaps in the teeth may become even smaller, while teeth that were crowded against one another may have more appropriate space. As stated before, the changes in position may be minimal, but it is still a sign that the braces are working correctly.

Bite Improvements

As your teeth become less crowded and gaps close, the way that your top and bottom teeth meet will also change. As your teeth move into their natural positions, your bite should improve and become less painful.

Orthodontist Visits

During this stage, you will likely be required to return to the orthodontist for regular checkups. This is to make sure that the braces are working effectively. It also enables your orthodontist to make any necessary adjustments to the braces to ensure that your treatment progresses smoothly.

Signs of Progress

You’ll notice additional progress during this stage.

Straighter Front Teeth

The most noticeable sign of progress during this stage is the straightening of the front teeth. The improvements in these most prominent teeth can cause significant positive changes in your smile.

Reduced Bite Issues

As your bite shifts, you’ll also begin to notice improvements in your bite issues. For example, if your braces are addressing an overbite, you’ll notice reduced overlap at this stage.

Tips for Success

Tips for success during this time include staying motivated and following your orthodontist’s instructions.

Take Photos

To help you track your progress and stay motivated, take pictures each week. While the changes happening will be subtle, you can compare photos as your treatment progresses and note the improvements.

Follow Your Orthodontist’s Instructions

For continued progress, make sure to follow your orthodontist’s instructions for maintaining your braces. This includes following any instructions for wearing rubber bands, which can be added after a time to apply firmer pressure to areas of concern.

Midway Through Treatment: Gaining Momentum (Months 4-12)

What to Expect

Once you reach the halfway point of your orthodontic treatment, you will likely notice significantly more progress.

Significant Bite and Alignment Improvements

Four to twelve months of treatment can cause significant changes in your bite as well as your alignment. The changes you noticed a few months ago will be even more marked now.

Absence of Discomfort and Pain

You will also likely feel less and less pain, even after adjustments are made to the brackets and wires, as you become used to them. In fact, you may reach a point where you no longer feel any discomfort at all after routine adjustment visits, as you have become accustomed to the experience.

Signs of Progress

While the signs of progress during this stage are similar to those earlier in your treatment, you’ll be happy to know that they’re even more noticeable after months of braces treatment.

Closing Gaps

By this time, you will notice that the spaces or gaps between your teeth are nearly closed. Teeth have shifted into what’s nearly their final position.

Better Alignment

You will also notice that the top and bottom teeth are better aligned. You’ll experience much less discomfort while chewing.

Tips for Success

During this stage, the best tip for success is to continue doing what you’ve been doing. Fortunately, by this stage, you’re a pro!

It is likely much easier to stick to your daily routine for maintaining your braces and keeping up with dental hygiene after you have been doing it consistently for months. Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is key to ensuring that your treatment remains successful. Likewise, it is important to keep going to all scheduled appointments to ensure your orthodontist completes the adjustments necessary to keep your treatment on track.

Approaching the Finish Line: Fine-Tuning Alignment (Months 12-18+)

What to Expect

If you’ve been wearing your braces for a year or more, you are likely nearing the end of your treatment. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you get closer to removal.

Visits Are for Fine-Tuning

Now that you are so used to adjustments, you should be feeling very minimal soreness afterward. Your orthodontist will be focusing on tiny adjustments to get your bite and the positions of the teeth just right.

Impatience Is to Be Expected

Since you are so close to having your braces removed, it may be tempting at this point to want to eat hard or sticky foods that you haven’t been able to eat for a long time. You may also be tired of the time that it takes each day to maintain your braces. But it is important to stay the course – you are almost done!

Signs of Progress

By this stage your smile should be near-perfect.

Teeth Will Be Straight and In Their Proper Positions

You’ll notice that your teeth are in their desired positions by this point. They will be straight, without gaps in between them. Your bite will be aligned properly.

Braces No Longer Seem Burdensome

While you may be impatient to remove your braces, you’ll also realize that you no longer notice all of the wires, brackets, and other metal hardware of the braces near the end of your treatment. By this time, you and your mouth have adjusted to the sensation of wearing braces.

Improved Confidence

You will also notice more than just your physical progress near the end of having braces; you will also feel more confident in your appearance. No longer do you need to feel shy about showing off your pearly whites, as they now are straighter and free of gaps. You’ll also become more excited at the idea of having your braces removed and the healthy, braces-free smile you’ll boast in the coming weeks.

Tips for Success

The final months are just as important for success as the early ones! Follow these last few tips for success to ensure the best smile you can achieve with your braces treatment.

Stay Diligent

Ensure that as you near the end of your treatment, you continue wearing rubber bands if instructed. Follow your oral hygiene routine and prepare to continue doing so once your braces are off.

Ask About Next Steps

You may want to ask your orthodontist about what is next for your treatment, as most orthodontists will fit you for a retainer to keep your teeth in their final positions even after the braces have been removed. Even after your braces are removed, remember the importance of keeping up with oral hygiene and wearing your retainer to ensure that your smile stays healthy and beautiful.

Celebrate Your Success!

Celebrate each milestone of your orthodontic treatment by rewarding yourself with a small token or self-care item. If you’ve been taking photographs throughout the process to document your progress and help you stay motivated, share them with your orthodontist and celebrate together!

Begin Your Journey to a Better Smile

Effective orthodontic treatment doesn’t happen overnight. Braces take time, patience, and some diligence on your part to work effectively. When you come in for an adjustment or notice a small change in your smile, it’s important to keep in mind that each and every component of this process is helping you achieve a healthy smile.

To schedule a consultation, inquire about your options, or get more information about orthodontic appliances, reach out to our team at Robison Orthodontics.