Visits to your orthodontist can be a little daunting. You may be nervous to see your doctor during your first visit and want to ask them about your future orthodontic treatment like dental braces or Invisalign. Sometimes, once you arrive at your appointment, you realize that you’ve forgotten what you were going to ask! Don’t be embarrassed—this happens to everyone. If you’re like us and sometimes forget to jot down notes or questions, we’ve come up with a solution for this! Below you’ll find a list of questions and answers that are commonly asked and may be on your mind. Hopefully, this will answer most if not all the questions that are pending on your mind!
1. What Is The Status Of My Dental Health?
Your first visit will be a thorough one. We will be checking your previous dental history and asking you health, lifestyle, and medical questions, as well as performing a thorough oral examination during your consultation exam. Afterwards, we will sit down with you and give you our feedback on whether there are any habits that you should change or perhaps suggest orthodontic treatment.
2. How Can I Maintain Good Oral Hygiene With Braces?
Regular visits with your dentist, a healthy diet that doesn’t contain too much acid or sugar (we have a list of foods to avoid!), and proper oral care such as brushing and flossing are all key to achieving better oral hygiene.
3. How Often Should I Make an Appointment With My Orthodontist?
The answer to this question depends entirely on the type of orthodontic treatment you’ve elected to receive. For example, if you have orthodontic braces then you should expect to be visiting your orthodontist once a month. In comparison, if you have chosen to receive the Invisalign treatment you’ll likely be visiting your orthodontist once every five to six weeks. Our doctors will be sure to go over that with you when discussing different orthodontic treatments.
4. Will Braces Cause My Teeth To Be Different Colors After I Finish My Treatment?
The color of your teeth at the end of your orthodontic treatment will be based on how well you take care of your teeth and what diet you decide to follow during said treatment. To avoid staining, you can cut or reduce the intake of certain foods or practices that are prone to staining. These foods and practices include drinking coffee, wine, and dark sodas or smoking cigarettes or cigars.
5. Which Dental Treatments Are Necessary Or Optional?
This is a great question—especially if you’re attempting to stay within a budget. During your initial consultation, you will receive advice on both orthodontic treatments that you should opt for that will improve your oral health as well as suggested treatments that will help you obtain a better more beautiful smile that aren’t necessary per se. Be sure to clarify with your orthodontist!
6. Should I Refer Any Information To My General Physician?
The status of your oral health can actually reflect overall health issues. Be sure to ask your orthodontist if he notices anything strange or unusual that may indicate a health issue or be a symptom of something else going on with your body that is not oral-related.
7. At What Age Can Orthodontic Treatments Begin?
You may be surprised by this answer, but did you know that orthodontic treatments can begin as early as the age of 7? Getting an early start on treatments can begin preventative measures that will ultimately save you a lot of time and money down the road before a certain dental diagnosis can worsen.
8. Does Eastern Virginia Orthodontics Take My Insurance?
Good question! Insurance and whether or not they cover dental treatments or if your dentist accepts them is a tricky subject. Here at Eastern Virginia Orthodontics, we work tirelessly to see if we are able to accept your insurance. If we don’t accept your insurance, please keep in mind that we work with all of our patients to come up with a payment plan that works for both of us, as well as their budget. Contact us today to find out more!
9. What Should I Do In A Dental Emergency?
If you have an emergency due to an accident or injury, don’t hesitate to call us! If you are able to reach us, we’ll do our very best to make sure guide you so that you can execute an at-home remedy until you are able to come into the office. If, however, you cannot reach us and you fear for your health, don’t wait—call 911 and/or visit the emergency room right away!
10. Are There Certain Dental Products You Recommend?
Although we don’t endorse any specific product, we do recommend anything that has fluoride as an active ingredient. This ingredient is important to oral health and actually strengthens your teeth!
Schedule An Appointment With Drs. Shivar, Peluso, or Andersen, Today!
Our seasoned orthodontists are here to answer your questions if they weren’t answered above—their orthodontic knowledge is very advanced and will be able to answer any and all your questions! Whether you’re searching for a practice that performs orthognathic surgery or handles temporary anchorage devices (TADs), there’s no question that has stumped them yet! You can contact us at one of our three locations or schedule a consultation online. Visit us today to find out more!