There is nothing wrong with wanting a perfect smile, and over 4 million Americans are currently correcting their smiles by wearing braces. It takes approximately 18 months for braces to do their job of moving teeth into position, and that timeframe can feel like an eternity. So, is there anything that can be done to reduce the treatment time for braces? These three tips could make an impact on how long you need to wear braces.

Follow Your Orthodontist's Instructions

The best thing you can do to keep your braces treatment time as short as possible is to follow your orthodontist's instructions. In particular, pay attention to the instructions on how to clean your braces each day. Braces can trap food particles against the teeth if they are not cleaned correctly. Those particles are food for bacteria that can eat away at tooth enamel and cause cavities. Brush and floss daily to keep your braces clean, as this means they can do their job quickly and effectively.

Don't Overlook The Elastics

One part of straightening your teeth while wearing braces is fixing bite misalignments. This is the longest part of the treatment time, so if you do not wear the elastics correctly, then the treatment time takes longer. Elastics should only be removed when your teeth are being cleaned, and broken elastics must be replaced immediately. It is important you know where to place the elastics, and you must have a supply of them on hand to replace broken ones. If you have any concerns about the elastics, then this must be discussed with your orthodontist, so as not to delay the effectiveness of the braces.

Make Good Food Choices

There are some foods that do not interact well with braces and can damage them. Damaged braces need to be fixed by your orthodontist, and until they are fixed, they cannot do the job they are designed for. Therefore, make good food choices when eating with braces on. Soft foods are a good choice, and hard, chewy, or sticky foods are not. So, when you are in need of a snack, grab a boiled egg rather than a piece of toffee. Choose a banana instead of chewing gum. Ask your orthodontist to provide a full list of foods to avoid so that you do not damage your braces while eating.

These are three broad tips to help reduce the amount of time you need to have your braces. An orthodontist has the best advice for your situation, so make sure you communicate with them to speed your treatment.