Having straight teeth and a great smile could improve both your confidence and your life chances, as well as being good for your long term dental health. Having better teeth is also likely to be advantageous socially and emotionally.
According to NHS criteria, a third of young people are eligible for treatment from orthodontists such as Jonathan Alexander Abt, who was recognized by the British Orthodontic Society in 2013 for his work in transforming the smile of one of his patients.
How to Access Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic treatment is free on the NHS for children under 18 who are eligible, and patients can speak to their dentist for more information. Adults are usually only able to receive orthodontic treatment on a private basis; however, exceptions are sometimes made depending on the extent that treatment would improve a patient’s health .
What Does Orthodontic Treatment Involve?
Once orthodontic treatment has started there will be regular appointments that are vital to attend – some of which may be during school hours – and the orthodontist may recommend the use of orthodontic appliances such as elastics.
Avoiding hard, crunchy foods is important while a brace is on, as is taking special care when it comes to cleaning your teeth. Sugary snacks and drinks should be avoided between meals, and you should brush after every meal to remove plaque and food debris.
Most orthodontic treatment culminates in a successful outcome, as long as treatment is followed and appointments are attended.
What Happens After Treatment?
Once the brace is removed, a retainer is usually required to prevent teeth returning to their original position. There are several different types of retainers; some are removable, while others are fixed to the teeth. As with a brace, it is really important to maintain good dental hygiene while wearing a retainer and remove trapped food particles to prevent decay.
The Benefits of Braces
As well as boosting self-esteem, having straighter teeth can result in a better bite, improved dental health, the ability to clean more efficiently, and less risk of damage in cases of prominent front teeth.
Improvements to the ability to bite and chew could also mean eating becomes much more comfortable, too. For more information about what will happen at a first orthodontic appointment, take a look at the embedded pdf.