Search

Working With My Dentist

5 Ways App Downloads Can Assist Your Progress With Clear Braces

14 December 2015

Siiri Puro

Braces have been around for many decades, but technology has dramatically improved the way they form and help transform your smile. At the dentist office, digital x-rays and equipment can give you form fitting clear braces and retainers. At home, technology can also be used to guide you through the whole process. Getting braces brings on a lot of changes in your life and you can go through the journey a lot easier with the assistance of app downloads. The following five types of apps will help you get through specific periods and work directly with your dentist.

Video Conferencing Apps

New braces or adjustments can bring a lot of pain to your mouth. While a lot of this pain is normal, it's important to know the difference between normal pain and pain that should get checked out. Instead of making an emergency appointment with your orthodontist, you can quickly check in using a free video conference app. By using a built-in camera on a phone or tablet, you can video conference directly with the office if they offer video conference calls. It's a growing trend among medical offices and helps reduce the amount of patients visiting the office. This allows you to showcase wires out of place or swollen gums, among other problems. From there, the dentist can determine whether you should go in for an appointment.

Time Lapse Apps

When wearing clear braces, many patients expect instant results and changes. While your mouth may not change overnight, progression is made and can be tracked through a time lapse app. By taking a picture of your mouth every morning, you can build a day-to-day collection of pictures of your mouth. A time lapse app has the ability to stitch these pictures together and create a short animation of your mouth changes. You will magically see your mouth adjusting and the teeth forming into a healthy smile.

A lot of the time lapse apps feature tutorials so you can complete the process with step-by-step instructions and just a few simple clicks.

Diet Changes

One of the biggest restrictions you will have with clear braces is the foods you're allowed to eat. Many types of foods, like peanut butter and popcorn, are limited from your diet. Instead of struggling to find proper meals, you can download food and recipe apps to help get you through the process. A number of recipe apps allow you to type in specific food items. This will load recipes that include appropriate items and exclude the items you're not allowed to have. By gathering a lot of different recipes, you will have a variety of meal options and not feel so limited when it comes to meal planning and your diet.

Shopping apps allow you to plan out full grocery lists. It's easy to type in items and check them off while you shop.

Countdown Clocks

For many people, the countdown to the removal of braces begins as soon as they are put on. Encourage yourself and look forward to the day your braces are removed by downloading a countdown clock app. Set the exact date and time into the app. Once the clock starts, you can read the countdown timer at any point and see how many days are left.

Many themes are available for these countdown apps. This includes holiday designs, animations, or countdown clocks made to look like a clock used at a sports arena. Special music or tones can be set for when the clock reaches the final seconds.

Journal & Social Community Apps

Getting braces can make you feel alone among people without them. Instead of dealing with it alone, you can use journal and social media apps to connect with others that are going through the same experience. There are several blogs and groups dedicated to people with braces. By downloading the apps, you can find a direct connection, build relationships, and relate with others that are on the same journey as you. An internet journal app allows you to keep track of your own journey and the progress you go through.

When visiting your dentist, see if there are any other apps that they recommend for your braces. A dentist may even have an app of their own used for appointment tracking or healthy tooth care tips. Click here for more information.

Share