5 Best Tips to Care for Metal Braces
A crooked or misaligned tooth can cause big problems both in the short term and long term. Today, there are tons of orthodontic treatment options available to treat and improve crooked, damaged and spaced out teeth.
Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, but traditional braces are still one of the perfect options for those seeking a straight and pearly smile.
It helps you to take proper care of your oral health and avoid further damage.
Regardless of how long you wear them, it is important to follow all the instructions and advice offered by your dental expert.
How to Take Care of Your Braces?
If your dentist decided that conventional braces are the right choice for your orthodontic needs, here are some of the best care tips you can follow to make your braces last long.
-
- Avoid Consuming Foods that Are Not Braces-Friendly
Your gums and alveolar bones need a high level of nutrients while you are wearing the wires and brackets on your braces.
Do not take food that can cause harm to the braces. This includes hard, crunchy and chewy foods, such as:
-
-
- Caramels
- Popcorns
- Corn chips
- Bagels
- Peanut butter
- Hard meat
- Sticky and hard candies, etc.
-
Few veggies and fruits can also get stuck in your braces. Thus, the best way to consume them is to chop them into small pieces.
After the installation of the braces, you must eat soft foods that won’t irritate your tongue, gums, or palate.
Your specialist will likely offer you a list of foods to consume and avoid to keep your braces last long. Following this tip will also lower your risk of developing cavities.
After several days, your mouth will become more usual to the braces and follow your orthodontist’s suggested diet.
-
- Brush and Floss Regularly
Taking proper care of your oral hygiene is always important, but it is also true when it comes to taking care of your braces.
Brushing and flossing regularly will not only keep your braces in good shape but also avoid staining.
Few brands of oral health products may possess abrasive ingredients that can damage the metallic braces. When choosing floss, always select a type that will fit between the teeth and along the wires of the brackets.
You can buy the specific floss recommended by your orthodontist, and use it at least once in a day.
Your orthodontist will provide information you need regarding the best type of mouth rinse and toothpaste to use to get rid of bacteria that can result in cavities, halitosis or gum disease.
Your dentist may also advise you to use a “special brush” built to get into the crevices and diverse surfaces in the metal braces.
Learn the technique to brush and floss around your traditional braces in a proper way. It will help you to remove bacteria that can result in gum disease, cavities, or halitosis.
-
- Visit your Doctor Regularly
Keep up with a follow-up consultation with your dentist and orthodontist on a regular basis.
It offers you a chance to have any queries or concerns addressed. It also allows makes it easy for the doctor to makes any adjustments to be made.
-
- Make Use of an Oral Irrigator
To remove extra plaque and food particles stuck in your mouth and braces, it’s the best idea to invest in an oral irrigator.
This small appliance sits on the counter top of the bathroom so that you can fill the tank with fresh water before using it.
It will ooze out water from the tank that will help you to eliminate bacteria, food, and plaque from your teeth, gums, and braces.
As per the instructions from your orthodontist, use an oral irrigator once in a week for additional cleansing.
-
- Follow a Healthy Oral Hygiene Routine
Apart from consuming the proper diet, it is also crucial to develop a healthy oral hygiene routine on a daily basis.
Remember, when you fail to take proper care of your mouth, you can damage your braces, thereby leading to a hindrance to your orthodontic treatment plan.
Although the braces may seem inconvenient, once the treatment gets finished, you will get a rewarding smile in the end. If you have more concerns or queries about caring for braces, discuss it with your doctor right away.