Ortho 101
Your Journey to a Confident Smile
Find out when to seek early orthodontic care, explore treatment options for all ages, address at-home discomfort, maintain oral hygiene with braces, get tips on retention, make wise dietary choices, and learn the benefits of rapid palatal expanders. PT Orthodontics is here to provide guidance and support every step of the way.
Achieve Your Dream Smile
A Guide to Orthodontic Care
Discover all you need to know about orthodontic care, from early intervention to helpful dietary advice, and trust PT Orthodontics in Adamsville to support you on your path to a lifetime of healthy, confident smiles.
When To See an Orthodontist?
We’re here to address your questions and concerns. Whether you’re dealing with misaligned teeth, bite issues, or other changes in your mouth and jaw, we can diagnose and treat the root causes. Early intervention is particularly advantageous for children, and we recommend their first orthodontic visit between ages 6 and 8. Adults can also achieve outstanding results with our effective and often more discreet treatment options. Beyond enhancing your smile, orthodontic care at PT Orthodontics in Adamsville promotes long-term dental health. We’re here to support you every step of the way on your orthodontic journey.
Early Treatment
At PT Orthodontics in Adamsville, we are dedicated to delivering exceptional orthodontic care for children. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children have an orthodontic screening by age 7 to monitor their growth and detect any bite irregularities. Treatment usually begins between ages 9 and 14, leveraging the natural development of the jaw. We specialize in correcting common orthodontic issues such as crossbites, overcrowding, protruding teeth, and underbites. Additionally, we proactively address childhood habits like thumb-sucking and mouth breathing to prevent long-term complications, supporting your child’s dental health and overall well-being while often reducing the need for more complex treatments in the future.
Adolescent Treatment
At PT Orthodontics, we provide specialized adolescent treatment to promote a healthy, confident smile during these formative years. Since the jaw is still growing, this stage is ideal for addressing misalignments, overcrowding, and bite issues to ensure long-term oral health. Using cutting-edge technology and customized treatment plans—including braces or clear aligners—we offer a comfortable and effective experience tailored to each teen’s needs. Our goal is to deliver expert care that enhances both aesthetics and dental function, setting the foundation for a lifetime of beautiful smiles.
Adult Treatment
We cater to adults in Adamsville and beyond, with over a quarter of our patients being adults. Don’t let age hold you back from the smile you’ve always wanted. Say goodbye to embarrassment and hello to a confident new you. Our specialists can help address your unique needs, improving your quality of life. Choose from traditional metal braces, clear ceramic braces, or removable clear aligners, each offering advantages to suit your preferences and needs.
Expert Orthodontic Care for Every Age
With years of experience, our team has helped patients of all ages achieve healthy, beautiful smiles through personalized orthodontic care.
Treating Discomfort at Home
If you’re feeling slight discomfort from braces, check for any protruding or misaligned wires. You can gently reposition the wire onto the bracket or use fingernail clippers to trim any sharp edges. Tweezers may also help guide a loose wire back into place. To ease irritation from cheek sores or cuts, rinse your mouth with warm saltwater. For any serious orthodontic emergency, call us at (205) 798-3925.
Brushing & Flossing with Braces
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is vital during orthodontic treatment. With braces, using specialized toothbrushes and flossing tools to clean around wires and brackets is key. Brush after every meal and floss daily to prevent tooth decay and gum problems. Regular visits to your orthodontist at PT Orthodontics will help keep your oral health on track throughout your treatment.
Retention
At PT Orthodontics, serving Adamsville and the surrounding areas, we often see patients years after treatment with smiles as radiant as the day their braces came off. No matter your orthodontic treatment, our expert team will create a customized retention plan to keep your teeth perfectly aligned. Since teeth can shift over time, wearing a retainer is essential to preserving your smile. To keep your retainer clean and fresh, gently brush it with a soft-bristled toothbrush or soak it in denture cleaner or alcohol-free mouthwash.
Foods to Avoid
Here are some helpful tips for caring for your braces: Protect your braces by avoiding hard, sticky, and sugary foods, which can cause damage or tooth decay. Avoid habits like nail-biting or chewing on pens and pencils. Stay away from sticky foods such as gum, licorice, toffee, and caramels, as they can damage your braces. Hard foods like ice, nuts, and whole apples or carrots should also be avoided. Enjoy sugary treats in moderation and limit sugary drinks to once a day. Regularly check your braces for issues like bent or loose wires and brackets. If you notice any problems, contact PT Orthodontics right away for repairs.
