Once your orthodontic treatment begins, you will need to visit our orthodontist in Palos Hills at regular intervals. We will explain the importance of regular orthodontic appointments during your initial consultation. Our Palos Hills orthodontics team agrees that practicing good oral hygiene and avoiding certain habits can help you and your family save money while preventing tooth decay.

What is the significance of regular appointments?

Braces are made up of wires and brackets that cover parts of the surface of your teeth. The attachments create areas where food particles and plaque can accumulate, putting you at risk for cavities. Brushing and flossing between meals are important steps, but regular orthodontic appointments are critical in preventing dental problems.

It is also important to note that patients should see their general dentist twice a year. Orthodontists are trained in general dentistry, but only your personal dentist understands your specific oral health requirements.

Regular visits to our orthodontic office can help ensure that your treatments are completed on time. Your follow-up visits, also known as “adjustment appointments,” allow us to replace worn-out bands, monitor your progress, and make any necessary adjustments. If a component of your braces has become loosened, damaged, or broken, we can repair it during your visit. Failure to keep your braces clean can result in a longer treatment time.

We will also visually inspect the movement of your teeth. Adjustments can be made if one or more teeth are not moving according to your treatment timeline.

Our orthodontist will look for signs of complications during your braces appointments, which can include:

• Injuries to the soft tissues
• Sores on the lips
• Tooth decay
• Problems with tooth alignment
• Demineralization

Teens: Special Considerations

If you are the parent of a teen who is undergoing orthodontic treatment, we encourage you to remind your teen about appointments. Teenagers are more likely to have compliance issues. During your braces appointments, our orthodontist will be able to tell if your child is not properly cleaning his or her braces. We can also discuss important topics like oral hygiene and maintenance during our appointments.

Brushing Suggestions

• Brush your teeth at a 45-degree angle to your gums.
• Brush gently in a circular motion.
• Brush each tooth’s surface, including the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces.
• Brush the inner surface of your front teeth with the brush’s tip.

Flossing Suggestions

• Use floss that is about 18 inches long and thread it carefully between the braces and wire, or use a floss threader.
• Floss around your braces with care.
• Floss first around your gums, then your teeth.

Regular orthodontic appointments

You can keep your orthodontic treatment timeline on track and avoid gum disease and tooth decay by attending regular orthodontic appointments at intervals determined by our orthodontist. Braces appointments are an excellent opportunity to ask questions, describe issues, and receive advice on proper braces hygiene and maintenance. To schedule your next appointment, please contact our orthodontics office in Palos Hills, IL.