Dentures and Dentist

How To Take Care Of Your Braces

24 April 2018

Julian Andrews

Braces are an excellent option for a variety of people, giving them a perfect smile in as little as a few months. However, caring for braces can bring a whole host of unexpected challenges, from keeping them clean to knowing what to do if they break. This short article aims to explain how to care for your braces, from your daily routine to what to do in an emergency.

Enhance Your Oral Hygiene Routine

Many people take care of their teeth before getting braces but then find that braces provide additional challenges that they have to adjust to. There are many ways to do this. For example. You can purchase an electric toothbrush to make brushing easier, as well as invest in a smaller and more precise brush to clean the nooks and crannies of your braces. You should be also be flossing regularly and you can buy special floss for braces. You may also want to buy some mouthwash to use.

Visit Your Orthodontist Regularly

Regular dentist visits are important for everyone, but they become even more important when you have braces. Your dentist or orthodontist can examine your teeth for early signs of decay and treat your problems at their source, as well as apply fluoride treatments to your teeth as necessary. They can also check your braces and catch faults or breakages before they become emergencies and make small adjustments as necessary.

Take Care When Eating And Drinking

While you can eat most foods with braces, there are a few things that should be avoided. For example, your teeth can become more easily stained with braces, so you should refrain from consuming sticky or sweet fizzy drinks. Some of the foods that should be avoided with braces, such as sticky caramels and crunchy popcorn, can break your braces. You should also avoid biting your nails and chewing ice. Your orthodontist will be able to give you more information about what foods and drinks to avoid.

Be Prepared For Emergencies

Modern braces are durable and well designed, but they can break, especially if you play sports. You should use a custom-made mouthguard when playing sports, to protect your braces from damage. However, breaks can occur in everyday life, and there is little that you can do to prevent them. Keep your orthodontist's number close to hand, and keep some orthodontic wax on hand to ensure that your mouth isn't injured by a broken wire. 

Taking care of braces can be difficult, but by following the simple steps above, you can make your experience of braces as stress free as possible. Keep up a comprehensive oral hygiene routine and watch your food and drink intake, as well as keep in touch with your orthodontist, and you can't go far wrong.

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