Summer vacation is a time to relax, have fun and avoid the strict schedules that plague students throughout the year. However, this doesn’t mean you should take a break from your orthodontic treatment. Skipping appointments with an orthodontist is like forgetting to take your medicine. When you don’t take your medicine, your condition doesn’t improve. In fact, you might even get worse. The same is true for your teeth. Every orthodontic appointment has a purpose. When you miss one, the course of your treatment can change or slow.
Your Personalized Treatment Plan
When you begin orthodontic treatment, your orthodontist examines your mouth, teeth and jaw to determine the exact treatment you will need. While most patients visit the orthodontist every six to eight weeks, it’s important to follow the plan tailored to your individual needs. At each visit throughout your treatment, your orthodontist will evaluate how your teeth are moving and the health of your teeth and gums. This careful evaluation allows your orthodontist to make small changes as necessary, allowing your treatment to stay on track.
When you skip an appointment, you miss more than a check-up. You miss the opportunity to have your braces adjusted to the next level, which could impact the length of your entire treatment. Missed appointments could result in many difficulties, including:
- Your progress might plateau. Skipping an appointment means skipping a chance to advance your braces and your progress may slow or pause.
- You might get cavities. Braces make it more difficult to see and clean plaque on some areas of your teeth. Your orthodontic team can point out problem spots early and help you get things under control.
- You could miss an important adjustment. While they seem similar, not every visit to your orthodontist is the same. Each appointment is planned for a particular purpose and the visit you miss might be a big one towards completing treatment.
- You might need a change. Even the most carefully laid plans are susceptible to change. Every time you visit, we make sure your treatment is on track. Frequent opportunities to make small changes can have a big impact on how long you have to wear your braces.
Summer Dangers for Your Teeth
When most people think of summer, they dream of slower schedules and relaxation. It’s not uncommon for children to extend this relaxed schedule to their dental routine. Skipped days of brushing and flossing, combined with the sweet treats of summer, can quickly deteriorate healthy teeth. Keeping up with regular home care and visiting your orthodontist during the summer months will help you avoid future cavities.
With summer comes the promise of wonderful fresh food. While braces-wearers aren’t forced to skip all of the great foods of summer, there are certain ones that can be hazardous. With ripe fruits and vegetables in season and special frozen treats to enjoy, it can be easy to forget which foods are safe to enjoy. Avoid crunchy, sticky or hard foods that can damage your brackets and wires.
Keeping your orthodontic treatment on track doesn’t mean you have to derail your summer. Rescheduling an appointment to fit into your vacation plans is an easy fix instead of skipping appointments altogether. Your orthodontic team will be happy to see you before or after your trip. Remember, every time you visit the orthodontist, you are one step closer to that healthy, beautiful, straight smile you’ve been dreaming of.
Maintaining Your Progress
During the summer, it’s easy to get caught up in the fun and relaxation, but maintaining your orthodontic treatment schedule is essential for continued progress. Skipping appointments can cause delays in your treatment, potentially lengthening the time you need to wear braces or delaying the results you’re hoping for. Staying consistent with your appointments ensures that your treatment stays on track, helping you achieve the beautiful, straight smile you’re working towards. Whether you schedule your visits before or after a vacation, sticking to the plan will make your summer more enjoyable and keep your treatment on the right path.
If you need to schedule your next appointment at Jones Family Orthodontics, now is the time! Call or text (360) 863-0303.
