Enjoy ​October as National Orthodontic Health Month

Enjoy ​October as National Orthodontic Health Month

Welcome to October! This month is a terrific time to commemorate National Orthodontic Health Month. We use this season to appreciate healthy smiles, discover tips to improve oral health, and celebrate the advantages from orthodontic treatment.

To kick off our celebration, let’s discuss the basics of orthodontic treatment. Orthodontics is a treatment that focuses on adjusting and straightening teeth to enhance their look and the way they function. Misaligned teeth are hard to clean, which increases the risks of gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss. But with orthodontic treatment, there can be an evenly distributed wearing of the teeth, improved cleaning, and properly aligned jaw joints.

Braces and undetectable aligners are typical devices used to steer your teeth into the right position. After completing the first treatment, a retainer gets used to hold recently straightened teeth stable while the gums and bones adjust.

Although most people think about braces for children and teens, it is growing in popularity with adults also. Those that have dealt with dental issues for years or have developed problems later in life have now embraced braces to improve their smile.

If you are among the millions presently using an orthodontic method for your smile, the American Association of Orthodontists suggests that you take extra precaution during October. There will be many chances for sweets and treats this month, but you should remember to safeguard your aligners, braces, and any other device used for your teeth. Below are helpful tips to get this done.

  1. Keep away from snacks and candy that are gooey, brittle, sticky, or crunchy. There will be many treats to choose from, but you should turn down gum, jelly beans, gummies, and licorice. Even though these are tempting during the Halloween season, you will enjoy the results from your orthodontic procedure much more. It will only last for a short while, and then you will be back to eating without restrictions.
  2. Ignore hard, tough treats. As we move into autumn, there are snacks we associate with this time of year. For instance, salty nuts, flavored popcorn, and potato chips are tasty. But, they can harm the wires on your braces as well as break the bands and brackets.
  3. Don’t Forget to Brush. Tasty goodies are fun to eat, but sweets can result in cavities. The best way to combat this is by using a toothbrush and floss after eating. Good oral hygiene is important at any time, yet even more significant when treats get consumed more often. Also, with orthodontic patients, give extra care to clean your teeth after eating starchy or sweetened foods.

As a final reminder, this is a great time to consider your options when it comes to orthodontic treatment. If you or another family member are curious about the outcomes you could see, contact Ferris Orthodontics!

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