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2016 New Years Resolutions: Braces Edition

While it’s hard to believe, 2015 is quickly coming to a close. This is the time of the year when our Seattle orthodontist Dr. Jorge Peralta and his team reflect over the past twelve months and look forward to what’s to come in 2016. We’ve had a great year and have enjoyed seeing many new and familiar faces in our Burien and West Seattle orthodontic offices.

The end of the year is when many of us make New Years resolutions to improve and enrich our lives. That’s why we’d like to offer a few possible dental-related New Years resolutions that those of you wearing braces might want to make.

Schedule an Appointment with Your Family Dentist

Just because you’re seeing a Seattle orthodontist doesn’t mean that you should neglect to see your family dentist. In fact, when you have braces on your teeth, it’s more important than ever to see your dentist regularly for examinations and cleanings. This is because food debris and plaque can become trapped in and around wires and brackets can increase your risk of developing tooth decay and other problems.

Cut Back on Sugar

Many studies have found that there is a direct link with how much sugar one eats and the amount of tooth decay he/she has. This is why it’s a good idea to make a New Years resolution to cut back on how much sugar you consume. For instance, if you drink sugary soda water, give it up for a healthier option like sugar-free bubbling water. And instead of reaching for candy when you have a sweet tooth, go for something healthier like yogurt or soft fruit.

Be Compliant with Your Elastics

The elastics on your braces are there to help move your teeth into new positions. Poor compliance in wearing these elastics, like skipping days or not wearing them full-time as prescribed, may result in a longer treatment time and poorer than expected final results. Make a resolution to wear your elastics as directed so your treatment goes along as planned.

Make a Commitment to Floss Daily

Many people fail to floss their teeth each day, including people wearing braces, because they feel it’s a hassle to floss or that it’s just not necessary. But flossing your teeth is a very important thing you should do every day, especially if you’re wearing braces. Flossing helps remove food particles and plaque from between teeth and in and around your appliances to help you avoid tooth decay. We recommend using a special floss threader that makes flossing your teeth easier.

These are just a few suggestions for New Years resolutions that patients wearing braces might wish to make. For those of you who are thinking of seeing an orthodontist in West Seattle or Burien to improve your smile, make 2016 the year you take the big step! Our practice offers orthodontic care to patients of all ages using the most advanced orthodontic treatment options from metal braces for youngsters to Invisalign for teens and adults. Please contact us today to schedule your appointment!