La Habra/Chino Hills – Congratulations! You are now wearing braces! The good news is you’ll be enjoying a beautifully straight and properly functioning bite in no time. You might be wondering what the bad news is, and Dr. Robert Gire, a La Habra/Chino Hills orthodontist, has some tips to ensure there is no bad news. He’s going to provide some tips to ensure you and your braces have a great relationship.

“I know braces can sometimes be annoying, especially initially,” says Dr. Gire. “But what needs to be remembered is that this is a team effort. I provide the tools (braces, wires, elastics, aligners, etc.) but I need your help to listen and follow me at home instructions. This teamwork will ensure the braces come off quickly!”

So, what does Dr. Gire recommend to ensure you have a good relationship with your braces?

1. Listen to your orthodontist. Your orthodontist spent a lot of time learning about the intricacies of tooth movement and has dedicated their career to helping patients get the most beautiful smiles. When your orthodontist recommends something, it’s a good idea to listen and follow that advice.
2. Become best friends with your toothbrush. No matter what kind of orthodontic treatment you choose, your toothbrush needs to be handy at all times. If you wear braces with brackets, you’ll want to make sure you brush after eating to remove any debris that could get stuck in the brackets and by your gums. And if you wear clear aligners like Invisalign, you’ll want to remove all debris before putting your aligners back in so it doesn’t get stuck between your aligners and your teeth. Maintaining proper oral care will also ensure your treatment stays on track. Cavities and other issues could lead to problems that could delay or compromise your treatment.
3. Don’t cheat and eat from the “foods to avoid” list. It can be frustrating to avoid some of your favorite foods while in braces but the damage hard, sticky, and chewy foods can do to your braces isn’t worth it. You’ll be back to chewing gum and biting into apples in no time.
4. Wear your rubber bands and other appliances. Does it tend to be annoying? Yes – but complying with your orthodontist’s directions will ensure your orthodontic treatment progresses the way it should. Failing to wear them as directed could lengthen your time in braces, and no one wants that.

“My favorite day of treatment is the day the braces come off,” says Dr. Gire. “Seeing how happy my patients are with their new beautiful smiles is so rewarding. They all tell me that their time in braces was worth the fantastic end results. So remember, your time in braces doesn’t have to be difficult. Working together, we can ensure your time in braces goes by quickly and is as enjoyable as possible.”

Want to start a relationship with a set of braces or aligners? Call us for a free consultation. Gire Orthodontics of La Habra at 562-690-1199 or Gire Orthodontics of Chino Hills at 909-393-9911.