National Oral Health Month was in September, but at Choonara Orthodontics, we want to continue the awareness through October. The purpose of this annual observance is to make people aware of the positive impact oral health, as well as orthodontic treatment, can have. Gum disease ranks only second to the common cold in terms of prevalence in South Africa, so we want to encourage our former and current patients to receive consistent dental care, and seek orthodontic treatment to improve their oral and overall health.
Regardless of your age, orthodontics can enhance your appearance for better self-confidence, and improve your oral and overall health. Learn more about the benefits below, and feel free to contact our office if you have any questions.
Benefits of Receiving Orthodontic Treatment
The goal of orthodontic treatment is to properly align the teeth and jaws for straighter teeth and an improved bite. If you have a problem with the alignment of your teeth or bite, it would be of great benefit to you to see our Johannesburg orthodontist for an evaluation. If you’re told that you have a treatable problem, undergoing orthodontic treatment can provide you with many lifelong benefits including the following:
- An improved appearance for a big boost of confidence
- Better oral hygiene as it’s easy to clean teeth that are properly aligned
- Lower risk for developing common dental problems like tooth decay and periodontal disease
- Improved chewing efficiency for better digestion of food
- Less strain on jaw muscles for improved jaw health
- Reduced wear and tear on teeth
Keeping Your Orthodontic Appliances Clean
Once you begin treatment, it’s very important to keep your orthodontic appliances clean, whether you’re wearing braces, Invisalign or retainers. On the day you start treatment, we’ll give you oral hygiene directions and offer up some handy tips that can help you do a great job of cleaning your teeth and the appliances you’re wearing. By keeping your teeth and appliances clean, your smile will always be bright and cheery and your breath will be fresh.
Be Mindful of What You Eat!
If your treatment involves wearing braces on your teeth, you must be very careful about what you eat. This is because there are many types of foods that can wreak havoc on your braces by loosening and breaking the bands, brackets, and wires on your teeth.
On the day we put your braces on, we’ll go over the types of foods to avoid with you to help you learn what you should and shouldn’t eat. At first, it may seem like there isn’t much you can enjoy eating while wearing braces. However, with a little time, you’ll soon realize that there are actually plenty of foods and snacks that play nice with braces so be patient!
Contact Your Local Johannesburg Orthodontist
We’re a very friendly group here at Choonara Orthodontics so please don’t think twice about getting in touch with us if you have any questions about orthodontics in general or your treatment. Just contact us and ask away! If you’re ready to find out how you or your child can benefit from orthodontic treatment, please request an appointment with Dr. Choonara today! We look forward to hearing from you soon!