If you are planning to get braces to correct the alignment of your teeth, you may be excited about the prospect of having a more attractive smile. Nowadays, orthodontic treatments are less conspicuous, so you don't have to feel self-conscious during the course of your treatment. Applications, such as clear plastic aligners, lingual braces, and ceramic braces, may be barely noticed in the mouth.

Nevertheless, before you start your treatment with braces, several considerations are important to keep in mind. Here are a few of them:

The Correction Is Not Just Cosmetic

The correction of your dental alignment is not simply cosmetic. Bite problems and misaligned teeth can affect your ability to chew. Additionally, they can affect your ability to care for your teeth properly.

Teeth that are crowded can make it difficult for you to brush and floss effectively enough to prevent tooth decay. Also, bite problems, such as crossbites or overbites, cause the teeth of the upper and lower palates not to meet correctly when you close your mouth. The gaps can reduce the effectiveness of mastication.

You May Have Undergo Other Dental Procedures First

Before the placement of your orthodontic appliance, you may have to undergo a few dental treatments. Your dentist may suggest that you have your teeth cleaned to ensure that your enamel is tartar-free before the placement of the brackets of your braces.

Cleaning the teeth without the braces in place is much less cumbersome. Additionally, none of the tartar will be trapped beneath the brackets.

Also, some of your teeth may need to be extracted before you start your treatment. If you suffer from dental crowding, the excess teeth may need to be extracted. In addition, the removal of the wisdom teeth can help ensure that there's enough room for the other teeth to be coaxed into proper alignment.

Purchase a Sports Guard

If you participate in contact sports, you will likely need a sports guard. The guard helps absorb the traumatic force associated with a blow to the mouth. This protection is especially helpful if your teeth are covered with brackets and wires that can damage the soft tissues of the inner cheeks and lips.

Your dentist can use a mold of your mouth to create a customized sports guard to protect your mouth.

If you would like to have the alignment of your teeth corrected, schedule a consultation with an orthodontic group like Laveen Smiles in your area.   

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