Clear Aligner Braces - How To Assist The Tooth Movement Process
Crooked teeth are bothersome to most people, but you do not need to live with misaligned teeth if you did not have braces secured as an adolescent. You have the option of speaking with a cosmetic dentist to come up with a tooth straightening solution that works well for you. Many adults choose to go with clear dental aligners instead of metal braces. If you think that this may be a good choice, then you will need to make sure that you do everything in your power to support the movement of the teeth. Keep reading to learn about a few things that you can do when you start using the clear aligner braces.
Eat Bone Healthy Foods
During the tooth movement process, the teeth will be shifted small amounts over the course of several months or several years. On average, you will be required to wear between 12 and 60 sets of aligners. Each aligner must be worn for two weeks, so you are most likely going to need to invest in between 6 months and 2 years of tooth straightening. When every new set of aligners is snapped into the mouth, pressure is placed on the teeth. The pressure forces the teeth to move by loosening them from the periodontal ligaments and the tooth sockets. A hole will open around the tooth as it moves and bone matter will then need to fill in around the tooth once it reaches its new position. This is necessary to make sure that the teeth do not loosen too much at one time and fall out.
To help with this movement process and to also make sure the teeth stay solidly secured in the jaw, think about eating foods that will help build strong bone material. Calcium and vitamin D are essential, so make sure to eat dairy foods as well as broccoli and almonds. Magnesium is important too, so eat foods like kale, pumpkin seeds, and fish. Phosphorous is a bone healthy nutrient so eat shellfish, pork, and Brazilian nuts. Protein is also required to build new cells and tissues along the jaw and the ligament tissues. Meats are high in protein and so is tofu, yogurt, and cheese.
Help To Fit Aligners
When you place a new set of aligners in your mouth, you are likely to notice some gaps on the sides of the teeth where the aligners do not fit as snug as they should. In most cases, your teeth will shift into the openings as the periodontal ligaments loosen and pressure is placed on the teeth for several hours. However, in some cases, it can take a day or two for the teeth to loosen slightly. When this happens, the movement process falls behind and you may be asked to wear the aligner set for another week. While this may be a common occurrence if your teeth are stubborn and not willing to move quickly, you can help the teeth to fit into the aligners better by using devices called chewies.
Chewies are small and soft cylinders that are placed in the mouth in any area where you see a gap or opening along the clear aligners. Once placed in the mouth, bite down on the chewies for 5 to 10 minutes at a time. You should do this several times a day so the aligners can snap into place over the teeth. Ask your cosmetic dentist for the chewies or purchase them online through a retailer that specializes in orthodontic accessories.
Straight teeth are a possibility at any age, and clear aligner braces are a popular choice among adults. If you want to try the aligners, make sure to contact a cosmetic dentist, such as one from a place like TLC Dental Center, about the dental straightening process.