How Often Do Braces Need to Be Tightened?

With offices in Coppell and Flower Mound, Bailey Orthodontics is the leading choice for locals who need dental help. We spend as much time as needed to soothe your worries and help you make the right choices about your future treatment plan, a popular treatment we offer is dental braces. Braces slowly improve the alignment of your teeth and give you a gorgeous smile. We’ll help you learn how often they need to be tightened.

What are Braces?

Braces are a common dental treatment that works for kids and adults. They have an archwire that sits in the bands and brackets, which your orthodontist can adjust. You’ll also see tubes and wires that keep the different pieces attached to each other and your teeth. An orthodontist Flower Mound office can adjust the braces as needed and on a schedule that works for you.

How Often Should You Tighten Them?

Our Flower Mound braces patients usually need to tighten their braces every four to six weeks. The orthodontist will take off the rubber bands and the archwire before checking your teeth. They want to know if the braces are working and how much your teeth moved since your last appointment. The orthodontist can then use the old archwire or a new one and tighten the wires to help you get the benefits of braces.

Can You Tighten Braces Yourself?

No, you cannot and should not attempt to tighten the braces yourself. There’s a serious risk that you’ll snap one of the bands, causing it to injure your mouth. You can also damage the archwire or break your teeth. If you think you need to tighten your braces, call our orthodontist Flower Mound office and make an appointment.

Signs You Need to Tighten Your Braces

While braces can help with common problems caused by misaligned teeth, you need to take care of them. One way to care for your braces is by knowing the signs you need to tighten them. One is that you don’t need any pressure in your mouth, especially when eating or talking. The braces should provide a small amount of pressure without causing any discomfort. If you experience mild or serious discomfort, talk to your orthodontist. Another sign you need to tighten the braces is when they no longer have any grip, which can make them slip inside your mouth or rub against your teeth.

Make an Appointment for Braces Today

Our Flower Mound braces patients know that we help them with anything they need, from their first consultation to years later when they get a retainer from us. As someone with braces, you need to adjust or tighten them every four to six weeks. When it’s time to tighten your braces, give Bailey Orthodontics a call.