At Ollie & Darsh, we understand that you’ve probably got a few questions about the whole process. What can you expect from your orthodontic treatment? When will you start to notice real changes to your smile? And what will you have to do to look after your new braces?
First off, don’t worry. Before we start any orthodontic treatment, we’ll hold a free consultation so we can talk through your goals and assess whether Six Month Smiles is the best option for you. Second, read on for a detailed breakdown of what it’s like to wear braces for six months…
What To Expect When You Begin Treatment
It’s important to bear in mind that wearing traditional braces for six months isn’t the right solution for everyone. Six Month Smiles provides a discreet alternative to conventional braces – they’re made with clear brackets and white wires – that can produce results fast. If you’re looking for straighter front teeth in a short space of time, this could be your perfect solution – the average length of treatment is six months, but can vary between four and nine months.
Because every smile is different, the first step in the treatment is a free consultation, which helps us to assess whether or not Six Month Smiles braces really are the best choice. Once you’re happy with our proposed treatment plan, we’ll invite you back to fit your new braces. This will take about an hour, then you’re good to go – next stop, straighter teeth!
What Progress Can You Expect To See From Having Braces For 6 Months?
It might feel a little odd for the first few days, but after a month you should be well adjusted to your braces. Best of all, by this time your teeth will already have started to move, so you should be able to see some initial changes. Moving forward, you’ll be able to see further improvements month after month. Why not take a selfie to show the development of your bright new smile every couple of weeks? It’ll help to remind you that your six months with braces will all be worth it!
You can expect to see big changes to your smile by the end of month five (if your treatment lasts that long – remember, some Six Month Smiles treatments take as little as four months). Depending on your case, you’ll need three to seven adjustments to your braces throughout the treatment – of course, we’ll explain this fully upfront.
On average, by the end of your sixth month, it’ll be time to remove your braces. This means, more importantly, that you can get on with showing off your stunning new smile to friends and family! As with all orthodontic treatments, you’ll need to wear a retainer to keep your teeth in their new, straight alignment. Several Six Month Smiles retainers are available – we’ll help you choose the best one for your comfort and lifestyle.
Caring For Your Six Month Smiles Braces
Again, as with any similar treatment, you’ll need to take a few simple and regular steps to keep your Six Month Smiles braces in tip-top condition. It might seem like a lot of effort, but we promise it’ll become second nature within a few weeks.
Cleaning Your Braces
It’s easy for plaque bacteria to get trapped inside and around your braces. To counteract this, we advise brushing at a 45-degree angle around the wires and brackets, brushing from the top of each wire down toward the bottom. We know cleaning your teeth isn’t the most fascinating process, but it’s important to take your time to remove all plaque and any other build-up.
Cleaning Your Teeth
Next, clean each tooth in turn, again holding your brush at a 45-degree angle to the line of your gum. Spend about ten seconds brushing in a circular motion. Repeat this for all inner and outer surfaces; alter the brush position as necessary to reach those smaller, harder-to-reach teeth.
Flossing
Dentists don’t just recommend this for the fun of it – flossing is a key part to looking after your braces. Make sure you floss once a day; we can show you the best way to do this. Once you’ve finished all of the above, give your teeth a quick rinse with water or mouthwash, then examine them in the mirror – hopefully they’ll be gleaming!
Looking After Your Retainer
This will depend on whether you opt for a fixed or removable retainer. With a removable retainer, make sure you keep it in the protective box when not worn. For cleaning, either soak it in solution or use water and a toothbrush. Don’t soak it in hot water (this could cause it to lose shape) and don’t use toothpaste. Alternatively, for a fixed retainer, keep the areas around it clean – floss and/or an interdental brush will make this process much easier.
Want to learn more about Six Month Smiles braces? Get in touch with us today to book a free consultation, or just to ask us a question – we’re here to help!