Waiting for something is probably one of the most infuriating things for humans, especially if you're rather lacking in the patience stakes. Whether it’s your Amazon delivery, your wedding day or waiting for your friend to show up for your big night out, we’re not a patient nation.

So, when you finally get the chance to have your teeth straightened, chances are you’ll want to see the results, like, immediately. Well, while we can’t promise an instant fix, there are certain things you can do to help speed up your treatment and get great results faster.

Wear your aligners

If you’re having clear aligner treatment like Invisalign or Spark to correct your teeth, wear them as much as you can. Technically, you can remove them for up to two hours a day, but the longer you keep them on, the better the results. Only take them out for eating, drinking and brushing, if you can. Soon, you won't even notice you’ve got them, and the less your teeth need correcting, the quicker treatment will be.

Watch what you eat

During your treatment your specialist will give you advice as to the foods you can and can’t eat while wearing braces. Things such as hard sweets, toffee and nuts can damage the wires and brackets of your fixed braces, or even pull your teeth in the wrong direction, meaning another trip to see your orthodontist and potentially prolonging your treatment.

Brush and clean

It’s sometimes hard to clean your teeth with fixed braces, especially when you are new to them, but making sure that you clean thoroughly is a must. Bits of food can easily get trapped between wires, and this can cause tooth decay – and delay treatment. Make sure you brush around each individual tooth twice a day, and use interdental brushes or floss if you can. 

Keep your appointments

Make sure you keep up with your orthodontist appointments so that your brace wires can be adjusted or your aligners changed exactly when they need to be. If you have to reschedule an appointment, try to fit in a new one as soon as possible to avoid any delays in your treatment. Think of it as an investment – the time you put in now will pay dividends when you’ve got a gorgeous smile to be proud of!