NOTES WHEN GETTING BRACES: A BOOK THAT CANNOT BE IGNORED

1. Before Braces - Required Preparation Steps

To ensure the braces process goes smoothly, safely and achieves expected results, you need to pay special attention to thenotes when getting bracesbefore officially attaching the braces.

1.1. Taking Films and Analyzing Accurate Data

Before performing braces, image diagnosis is a mandatory step to build an accurate and personalized treatment plan. Necessary types of films and data analysis include:

• Panorama:This is an X-ray of the entire jaw, helping the doctor have an overview of the jaw structure, the position of all teeth (including wisdom teeth, impacted teeth, supernumerary teeth), potential diseases such as cysts, granulomas, or bone loss. Panorex film also helps evaluate the symmetry of the dental arch and the development of the jaw system.
• Cephalometric (tilted skull film):Cephalometric film provides detailed images of the relationship between the skull, upper jaw, lower jaw and teeth. Based on this film, the doctor will analyze indicators of bone growth, overbite level, bite balance and facial structure. This is indispensable data to determine treatment regimens, especially in cases requiring jaw bone intervention or facial imbalance.
• 3D CBCT (if necessary):In more complicated cases such as impacted teeth in difficult positions, tumors, or needing a detailed assessment of the alveolar bone structure and nerves, the doctor may request a 3D CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) scan. This film provides three-dimensional images, helping to see details that 2D films cannot show, minimizing risks during tooth movement.
• Scan function form (manual or digital):In addition to radiographs, taking impressions or scanning jaw models is to create an exact replica of your current dental arch. This jaw model helps doctors analyze bite relationships, tooth misalignment, spaces between teeth and predict the space needed to move teeth. With modern technology, digital jaw model scanning is increasingly popular, bringing high accuracy and a more comfortable experience for patients.

Take a lateral skull film to evaluate the condition before braces 

Special note:If you skip the steps of image diagnosis and thorough data analysis, the risk of deviating the treatment plan is very high. Getting it wrong from the beginning will lead to the entire final result being distorted, causing prolonged braces time, unsatisfactory results or even unwanted complications..

1.2. Choose the Type of Braces that Suits Your Condition and 

Choosing the right type of braces not only affects the economy but also directly affects the effectiveness of treatment. There is no best type of braces, only the most suitable type for each specific case. This is also oneBe careful when wearing bracesyou need to consider carefully. Below is a comparison table of common types of braces:

Crooked teeth change after metal braces

Important note:For orthodontics Invisalign braces' effectiveness depends greatly on your discipline.Invisalign is only suitable for people who have enough space for teeth to move and must commit to wearing the aligners 22 hours/day.

1.3. Thoroughly Treat Oral Pathologies Before Installing Braces

You especially must ensure perfect oral health before starting. Installing braces on an unhealthy oral foundation can lead to serious complications and interrupt the treatment process.

• Tooth decay, gingivitis, tartar:These are common diseases that need to be thoroughly treated. Tartar and plaque are where bacteria grow, causing gingivitis and bleeding gums. If not cleaned, the inflammation will worsen when braces are present, causing difficulty in hygiene and possibly leading to periodontitis. Tooth decay needs to be filled or treated with root canal treatment to avoid further decay during the braces process.
• Wisdom teeth that are impacted, impacted or crowded can hinder the movement of other teeth, causing pain, inflammation and misalignment of the bite. In many cases, the doctor will prescribe wisdom tooth extraction before braces to create space and ensure the process of moving the teeth smoothly.
• Pulpitis and bone loss:Moving teeth on the jawbone base or teeth with pulp disease can cause complications such as root resorption, loose teeth or even tooth loss.

Eliminating inflammatory and pathological factors will help teeth move smoothly, minimize pain and prevent dangerous complications in the treatment process. throughout the treatment process. 

2. During the Braces Process - Changes and Timely Treatment

Once you have officially entered the braces journey, you will go through many changes and may encounter some problems. Below arenotes when wearing bracesduring this period.

2.1. Pain and Sensitivity After Teeth Tightening

Slight pain and sensitivity are a completely normal reaction of the body when the teeth begin to move under the influence of pulling force from the brackets and wires. This feeling often appears most clearly in the first 3–5 days after each tooth tightening or arch wire replacement. Please note:

• Eat soft foods:Avoid hard, chewy, and crunchy foods in the first days after clenching your teeth. Prioritize dishes such as porridge, soup, yogurt, smoothies, soft rice, minced meat...
• Take pain relievers when needed:If pain causes discomfort, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers such as Paracetamol according to the doctor's recommended dosage. Avoid overusing medication and do not take Aspirin because it can slow down the movement of teeth.
• Limit strong chewing movements and biting and tearing food with your front teeth while your teeth are still sensitive to avoid damaging teeth and braces.

2.2. Mouth Heat, Mouth Ulcers Due to Rubbing

Brackets or archwires can rub against the lips, cheeks, or tongue, especially in the first weeks after braces are installed or when there are changes in the archwire. This can cause ulcers, mouth ulcers, discomfort and pain when eating and drinking. You can: 

• Use orthodontic wax:This is the most effective solution. Take a small amount of wax, soften it by hand and wrap it tightly on the part of the bracket or wire tip that is causing the rubbing. The wax will create a protective cushion, preventing the braces from coming into direct contact with the mucosa. 

Orthodontic wax when wearing braces helps relieve pain

• Gargling with warm salt water or antiseptic solution:Gargling with warm physiological saline 2-3 times a day or specialized antiseptic solutions for the mouth (for example, containing chlorhexidine) will help reduce inflammation, clean ulcers and promote healing.
• Apply topical pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs:Oral gels such as Kamistad or Oracort A can help relieve pain and support rapid healing of ulcers. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before use.

2.3. Sunken Cheeks During Braces 

During braces, some people may notice their faces appear more sunken, have sunken cheeks, or feel thinner. The main cause is usually due to:

• Weak chewing, weight loss:When you first get braces or after each time you tighten your teeth, the pain makes chewing difficult. This leads to eating less, choosing soft, easy-to-digest foods, sometimes not nutritious enough, thereby causing weight loss and making the face look haggard.
• Reduced jaw muscle movement:With braces, jaw muscle activity may be partially limited, leading to less use of the cheek and chewing muscles, causing them to slightly atrophy and causing a sunken cheek effect.
• Jaw bone changes:In some cases, braces require tooth extraction or strong tooth movement, which can change the jaw bone structure and affect the shape of the face. 

You have sunken cheeks due to braces due to difficulty eating

The best thing to do is: 

• Eat enough nutrition, increase healthy fats:Even if it is difficult to eat, you still need to make sure to provide enough energy and nutrients for your body. Prioritize foods that are soft, easy to chew but rich in nutrients such as milk, eggs, minced meat, fish, avocado, olive oil, and pureed nuts. Increasing healthy fats helps maintain body weight and facial fullness.
• Practice chewing evenly on both sides of the jaw:If there is no problem with pain, try chewing evenly on both sides of the jaw to stimulate the activity of the cheek and chewing muscles. 

Cheek hollowing will improve after you adapt to braces and start eating and living stably. 

2.4. Brackets Burst, Wire Displacement During Braces 

This is one of the quite common incidents during the braces process, often occurring when you eat foods that are too hard, chewy, chew incorrectly or due to strong impact on the mouth area. 

Absolutelyshould not be self-adjusted at home.Attempting to self-adjust can damage brackets, archwires or cause further damage to teeth and gums.

When encountering this situation,note when using bracesIt is important that you contact your orthodontist immediately. The doctor will reattach the braces to the correct position or adjust the archwire, ensuring the treatment process is not affected. If you cannot get to the clinic immediately, you can use orthodontic wax to cover the part of the bracket that has come loose or the tip of the wire that is poking into your cheek to temporarily relieve discomfort.

2.5. Gingivitis and bleeding during braces 

Gingivitis and bleeding gums are common problems in people with braces, mainly caused by poor oral hygiene. Braces and wires create many nooks and crannies, making it easy for food to get stuck and difficult to clean completely, creating conditions for bacteria to grow and cause inflammation.

Advice from an orthodontist at Lac Viet Intech dental clinic for you: 

• Use interdental brushes, dental floss, water flosser:These are effective support tools for oral hygiene when wearing braces. Interdental brushes help clean around braces, dental floss helps clean between teeth and under wires. The water flosser uses water jets to effectively remove plaque and food scraps, and massage the gums.
• Rinse with a solution containing chlorhexidine:Mouth rinse solution containing chlorhexidine has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, helping to reduce gingivitis and swelling. However, you should only use it as directed by your doctor and do not use it for more than 2 weeks in a row to avoid side effects such as tooth discoloration.
• Regular follow-up examination for scaling:No matter how thoroughly you clean, plaque and tartar can still form. Regular follow-up visits with your doctor (usually every 3-6 months) to remove tartar is necessary to keep your teeth clean and healthy.

At Lac Viet Intech dental clinic, periodontal diseases will be treated thoroughly and completely free of charge. 

3. After Removing Braces - Maintaining Long-Term Results

The maintenance phase is one of the most importantnotes when wearing bracesthat many people often subjectively ignore. This will determine whether your new smile will last long or not.

3.1. Wear the retainer fully and properly 

After removing the braces, the bone and tissues around the teeth need time to regenerate and stabilize in the new position. Without a retainer, teeth tend to move back to their original position. This is an extremely importantnote when wearing bracesstage.

• First stage:During the first 6-12 months after removing braces, you need to wear your retainer almost 24/24 hours a day (only remove it when eating and cleaning your teeth). This is the most important time for the bones and ligaments around the teeth to adapt to the new position.
• Later:After the initial stage, the doctor will instruct you to gradually reduce the wearing time, usually switching to wearing it at night for the next 1–2 years, or even longer depending on each specific case and the level of stability of the teeth.

There are 2 main types of retainers: fixed and removable. About 1 month before removing the braces, you will see a doctor. mountedA small metal wire is fixed to the inside of the front teeth, this is a fixed retainer. The advantage is that it is highly effective, does not need to remember to wear it, and is discreet. The drawback is that it is more difficult to clean and may need to be replaced if it becomes loose.

The permanent retainer is attached on the inside before removing the braces 

After removing the braces, an impression of your teeth will be taken to make a removable retainer.Usually transparent plastic jaws or Hawley jaws (combination of plastic and metal wire). The advantage is that it is easy to clean and easy to disassemble. The disadvantage is that it requires high patient compliance and is easily lost or damaged. 

Synthesis of 3 types of retention functions

3.2. Is there a need for follow-up examinations after braces are removed? 

Even if you are wearing a full retainer, regular check-ups are still necessary for your doctor to assess the stability of your bite and detect early signs of relapse or other dental problems.

• Recurrence control:Your doctor will check to see if the teeth have a tendency to move again and take timely intervention (for example, adjusting the retainer, or in rare cases a course of orthodontic treatment may be needed). minor).
• Handling arising problems:Follow-up examinations are also an opportunity to handle problems such as slight bite misalignment, tooth wear due to uneven chewing, or other dental diseases that may arise.

Many people subjectively skip the period of regular follow-up examinations after removing braces. This causes teeth to silently shift again, even after 2-3 years of hard and expensive braces. Don't let your efforts go in vain just because of negligence at this final stage.

3.3. Oral care 

After braces are removed, the gums and soft tissue around the teeth may need time to fully recover. Some people may experience mild gum recession or more sensitive gums. Proper periodontal care and oral hygiene is an indispensablenote when wearing bracesto maintain overall oral health and protect a beautiful smile.

Periodontic care and maintaining regular checkups is the only way to maintain long-term oral health, ensuring a beautiful smile after braces that is not only aesthetically sustainable but also healthy from the inside.

If you are preparing to embark on a braces journey, make sure you have clearly understood each stage and are ready to commit to following through! A bright, confident and healthy smile will be a worthy reward for your efforts