Brushing and Flossing
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene with braces is crucial during orthodontic treatment to ensure the health of your teeth and gums. Here’s what you need to know:
Importance: Braces require adjustments to your brushing and flossing habits to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Professional Cleanings: Patients who do not maintain clean teeth may need more frequent professional cleanings.
Periodontal Consultation: Adults with a history of gum disease should consult a periodontist during orthodontic treatment.
Eating with Braces
One of the most common queries about life with braces is, “What can I eat?” Initially, after an adjustment, stick to soft foods for comfort. Avoid tough meats, hard bread, and raw vegetables. Soon, you’ll comfortably enjoy a cucumber again while ensuring you protect your braces during meals throughout your treatment.
Foods to Avoid
- Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
- Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice
- Sticky foods: caramels, gum
- Hard foods: nuts, candy
- Foods requiring biting into corn on the cob, apples, carrots
- Additionally, refrain from chewing on hard objects like pens or fingernails to prevent damaging your braces. Damaged braces can extend treatment duration and lead to additional appointments.
General Soreness
Experiencing discomfort after getting braces? Here’s what to expect:
Initial Soreness: You may feel soreness in your mouth and teeth for 3 – 5 days after getting braces.
Pain Relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers can help alleviate discomfort during this period.
Irritation: Initially, your lips, cheeks, and tongue may become irritated, but they will toughen over time.
Loosening of Teeth
It’s normal for your teeth to feel slightly loose during treatment as they adjust to new positions. This process is necessary for effective alignment, and your teeth will stabilize in their corrected positions after treatment completion.
Loose Wire or Band
Dealing with a loose wire or band? Here’s what to do:
Reposition the Wire: Use a blunt tool (like the eraser end of a pencil) to tuck the irritating wire back under the archwire carefully.
Use Orthodontic Wax: Apply wax to the wire for added comfort and to reduce irritation.
Rubber Band Wear
Successful orthodontic treatment depends on patient cooperation with prescribed rubber bands or other appliances. Consistent wear is essential for teeth and jaws to move towards their corrected positions. Adherence to instructions prevents treatment delays and ensures optimal results.
Athletics and Mouthguards
Inform us if you participate in sports! We provide custom mouthguards designed for contact sports to safeguard both your braces and teeth. Whether you’re into football, basketball, or any contact sport, our specialized mouthguards reduce the risk of dental injuries and protect your orthodontic appliances.
