When you spend thousands on braces treatment, you have to be very careful with their maintenance. One small mistake can lead to a big loss, financially and physically. Therefore, it is vital to know how to care for braces. In this article, you will learn about how to care for braces and all the do’s and don’ts that you need to ensure the effectiveness and longevity of braces.
Best Tips on How to Care for Braces: The Do’s and Don’ts
People with braces have to live a little differently than people without braces. Though braces ensure you have a perfectly straight set of teeth, there are some care measures that must be taken. These measures make sure that your braces remain intact and the treatment stays effortless and smooth. Below are some do’s and don’ts related to how to care for braces.
Do’s of Caring for Your Braces
These are some activities that you can add to your life that will help you enhance the effectiveness of the treatment and the longevity.
Regular Brushing
To take care of your braces and teeth, the first and foremost thing to do is regular brushing. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day or after every meal. Dental Braces can breed bacteria more than usual because the meal particles easily get stuck in them. Therefore, it is vital to brush your teeth regularly. It prevents bacteria production in the oral cavity.
Floss Daily
Along with brushing your teeth regularly, flossing is also really important. Add it to your dental hygiene routine to ensure optimal oral hygiene. Brushing does not ensure proper cleaning of food particles from the creases of teeth. By flossing regularly, you can remove food particles and bacteria from every corner of the mouth. Floss gently between your teeth and braces. It will remove any particles that your toothbrush might have missed.
Use Wax on Braces
People do not get used to braces which often leaves them with irritation around their mouth, lips and cheeks. To prevent any sores or minor cuts, you should wear wax around your braces. It will ease any discomfort and protect the soft tissues in and around your mouth. You can apply some wax on the brackets and around wires that irritate you.
Use Mouth Guards
If you engage in physical activities like sports or laborious work, your braces may cause you injuries. While playing or working, you are prone to severe soft tissue injuries due to braces. Therefore, it is preferable to wear a mouth guard while involved in any physical activity. It will protect your mouth and braces as well.
Cut your vegetables and Fruits Properly
Before eating any fruits or vegetables, cut them into small bite-sized pieces. This way you don’t have to take a bite into the fruit or vegetable which might dislocate the wire or damage the braces. Small bite-sized pieces do not put pressure on the braces and they stay intact in their position.
Follow your Orthodontist’s Instructions
When going through braces treatment, your orthodontist recommends you follow care instructions. These include a dental hygiene routine, regular checkups, warning symptoms, and lifestyle changes. By following these aftercare instructions, you can ensure successful treatment and long-lasting effects. So, follow your dentist and make every penny count.
Dont’s of Caring for Your Braces
With braces, you must be very careful with your lifestyle. Any negligence might damage the braces and complicate the issue. Carelessness can cause injuries to your tongue lip or cheeks and the severity may vary. Here are some don’ts that you need to keep in mind while taking care of your braces.
Don’t Eat Foods that Damage Your Braces
Braces make your oral cavity sensitive. There are wires, brackets, rubber bands, etc that come in contact with the food you eat. Therefore, you must be mindful about what you eat. Eating hard, crunchy, chewy, staining, and sticky food can damage your braces. They may get stuck in the wires or brackets and break them.
Do not chew on Hard Objects
Hard objects like ice, vegetables, fruits, pencils, fingernails or other hard objects can damage the braces. Any damage to braces may hinder the successful treatment. So, you should avoid putting hard objects in your mouth that result in injuries or damage to the braces. It results in extending time period that it takes to straighten teeth and you may not get your desired results.
Don’t Consume Carbonated Drinks
Carbonated drinks contain a high amount of soda and sugar. Excessive use of carbonated drinks erodes tooth enamel and leads to tooth decay. Moreover, the drinks can also stain the teeth and braces. Since cleaning teeth with braces is a little more difficult than normal, bacteria may stay in the teeth and damage them. So, you should refrain from carbonated drinks to keep your teeth and braces healthy.
Bottom Line
To extend the longevity of braces and successful treatment, it is vital to know how to care for braces. You must know what you should do and what not to do while taking care of your braces. Stick to a certain diet plan, follow your orthodontist’s instructions, and follow a proper dental hygiene routine. Avoid hard and crunchy foods, carbonated drinks, etc to avoid any damage or breakage. By learning how to take care of your braces properly, you can make every penny worth spending on your braces treatment.
Teeth and Smile Dental Clinic in Gulberg 3 Lahore offers its orthodontic services to you all. Turn to us to get a perfectly healthy and beautiful smile that transforms your life.
