Wearing braces can turn out to be a long waiting time, but if the treatment goes as planned, it can transform your smile and be worth every dollar you spend. However, during the treatment period, a major concern you should have is the maintenance of your teeth and braces to prevent the risks of bacterial plaque or disease-causing bacteria from accumulating.
Yes, when you consult a dentist (be sure to choose one with enough knowledge in orthodontics, preferably one who spends time in orthodontic seminars for general dentist) you will learn more about the importance of paying extra attention to your teeth to protect them from decay problems, gum diseases, and staining. You will also have to take precautions to prevent damages to braces.
According to the Academy of General Dentistry, when you have braces on your teeth, you will need to avoid eating sweets, sticky or chewy foods, crunchy or hard foods, breathing through your mouth excessively, biting your lips, and pushing your tongue against your teeth.
However, you should not worry because here are some tips on how you can keep dental problems away and minimize your chances of encountering periodontal gum diseases and tooth decay problems during the treatment with braces.
1. Avoid Sugary Food or Snacks
Every living organism needs to eat and the same goes for bacteria. One thing for sure is they are especially amenable to sugar. The more the access they have to sugar, the more they multiply and cause gum diseases and the risks of tooth decay. However, cutting down the intake of snacks and sugary foods and snacks that may cause dental problems will help to restrict the increase of bacterial population in the mouth.
2. Brushing is Important
Even though the standard recommendation for oral care is to brush twice in a day, when wearing braces, experts who enroll in Gerety Orthodontic Seminars always recommend that you should brush your teeth after every meal. There is a valid reason behind this, where the food particles will trap in between the braces easily. The longer they remain trapped in the teeth, the higher the risks of you developing dental problems. The best advice for you here is to use a soft, round bristle brush. You should rinse your mouth with some water, which should help to loosen the food that’s stuck around your braces. Make sure that you brush your teeth properly, meaning above and below the brackets, and the gum line. You should also hold the toothbrush at an angle of about 45-degrees. Brush the lower and upper brackets and finally rinse your mouth.
3. Visit Your Dentist Regularly
During the treatment phase wearing braces, you need to visit your orthodontist on a regular basis for adjustments. In addition, you need to consult a general dentist once every six months at least, or even for a longer time. In addition to proper dental cleaning, in every follow-up checkup, the dentist will examine your mouth for any signs of gum diseases and prescribe the best treatment options based on the condition. They may prescribe antibacterial mouth rinses, and medicines if they detect anything wrong.
At any time, if you see some abnormalities such as white spots on the surface of your teeth, bleeding gums, or red and puffy gums, you should consult your dentist as soon as possible. The sooner you are able to diagnose the problem and address it, the better the chances of your treatment with braces to be a successful one.
4. Dental Flossing
To remove plaque from in between teeth, it is best to use flossing tools. Unfortunately, it may be difficult for you to even brush properly while wearing braces. If you are using string floss, it could be a daunting process for you to target your teeth. Rather, consider using a floss threader, or any other tool that is easier to maneuver. Consider using a water irrigator, which is a hand-held device that will spray water some pressure to loosen as well as flush away plaque between teeth. And if you need additional dental help, consider orthodontic treatment newmarket ON.
5. Use a Fluoride Mouthwash and Mouthguards
Once you brush and floss your teeth, you should rinse your mouth with a good fluoride mouthwash, which will help to prevent white spots and cavities. You can also wear a mouthguard, especially if you are the sort who likes to play sports. Wearing mouthguards will serve as a protection for your lips and cheeks from serious cuts and preventing damages to your orthodontic appliance or braces if you fall down or hit your face somewhere.
Caring for braces is not a difficult job, you just need to make sure that you consult your orthodontist and follow all the precautions they offer you. Follow their guidelines and the treatment plan for the best results!
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