• Excessive spaces in between teeth
• Excessive crowding of teeth, causing teeth to rotate
• Upper teeth protruding excessively over lower teeth
• Lower teeth protruding past the upper teeth
• Upper teeth covering the majority of lower teeth when biting
• Center of upper teeth do not align with center of lower teeth
• Difficulty chewing foods
• Excessive or uneven tooth wear

Teeth can shift with age, and it is a very common occurrence. Retainer wear is much different today than it was many years ago. Both Invisalign and Damon Brackets are excellent treatment options for adults. We now know that retainers are life-long and worn indefinitely.

Unfortunately, your teeth and jaw won’t just straighten out as you get older and malocclusion tends to worsen with age. Though we can still help you achieve amazing results as an adult, seeking orthodontic treatment as a child or teenager when the teeth and jaw are still growing and developing, increases the likelihood that treatment will be easier and quicker. In some cases, putting off necessary treatment will lead to needing extractions or jaw surgery to achieve results.

Getting braces is an exciting moment, but adjusting to the changes that come with wearing your appliance can be challenging. Braces are only successful if they are properly cared for, which means that some foods should be avoided during your treatment.

The best foods to eat with braces are low in sugar and do not require excessive chewing. This includes:

• Complex carbohydrates such as bread, mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, pancakes
• Soft and hearty foods like soups and stews
• Dairy foods like cheese, yogurt, and smoothies
• Fruits and vegetables cooked until soft or cut/grate into bite-sized pieces
• Meat, poultry, fish, and other protein-rich foods are cooked until soft or tender.

To achieve the best results from your braces, you must keep them in good condition. Here are five of the best brace care techniques.

• Brush your teeth with a soft gentle toothbrush.
• Maintain your oral hygiene routine.
• Rinse your mouth, preferably with fluoride mouthwash 
• Flossing with superfloss
• Cleaning your tongue with a tongue cleaner 

Toothbrushes come in a variety of bristle hardnesses, which are commonly labeled “soft,” “medium,” or “hard.” Most people will simply require a soft or medium-bristle toothbrush to clean their teeth. A hard bristle brush can harm your teeth and gums, especially if you use it to clean them aggressively. Regardless of the type of brush you choose, take care to use the proper brushing technique. This entails holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle, where your tooth and gum tissue meet. This might aid in the cleaning of the area beneath your gums. Remember to brush the surface of your teeth lightly in a circular pattern – avoid scrubbing aggressively in a back-and-forth motion. This can cause gum recession and enamel wear.