Braces can sometimes lead to other dental problems if they are not cared for properly. When you meet your orthodontist to correct a tooth misalignment, a crowding issue, or to close gaps in your teeth with braces, the onus is on you to maintain proper oral hygiene.
Braces are designed with many tiny spaces that can occasionally trap food when you eat. The problem with this is that the trapped food can lead to plaque formation on your teeth, leading to other dental problems. That’s why it’s so important to have a good oral care routine for your teeth. Neglecting your oral hygiene can create severe oral health problems, just like waiting too long to see an orthodontist.
The extra effort required to care for braces is something your orthodontist will address with you during your first appointment. To make it less tedious for you and your child, our orthodontists in Matthews have written this piece to provide braces users in Matthews, Stallings, and Weddington, NC, with these four tips on how to care for their braces. Let’s begin with understanding what braces are and the types available.
What Are Braces?
Dental braces are orthodontic devices used by dentists to correct crooked teeth, crowding, teeth misalignments, gaps in the teeth, or a bad bite. Wearing braces to improve the appearance of your teeth often results in better oral health. This is because perfectly ordered teeth are much easier to clean and reduce the risk of oral issues, such as tooth loss, gingivitis, and tooth decay.
Braces are the most popular means of correcting misaligned bites and straightening teeth for kids and adults.
Types of Braces
Braces are usually made with wires, bands, and removable or fixed corrective materials. However, not all kinds of braces are suitable for your needs. You will need to meet with your orthodontist so they can answer your questions and prescribe the right braces for your oral condition.
At SP Orthodontics, we offer the following kinds of braces to suit your dental needs:
Metal/Traditional Braces:
Traditional braces are designed with metal and have brackets that are fixed to the front of your teeth. They also have rubber bands or metal ties that connect the brackets to the wire as they fit around each tooth. The purpose of these bands is to exert more pressure on your teeth to align and straighten them.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces have brackets designed with tooth-colored ceramic, which makes them fairly noticeable. Patients who need to wear braces but don’t want them to be too noticeable can choose ceramic braces instead of metal braces. In addition, they can be designed with stainless steel, gold, or clear materials to suit your preference.
Best Practices To Care for Your Braces
Here are a few ways you can care for your braces to ensure they don’t cause other orthodontic issues in the future:
Brush and Floss Your Teeth Routinely
Although the standard way to maintain good oral hygiene is by brushing twice and flossing once daily, when you wear braces, we recommend brushing every time you eat. Whether you’ve snacked mid-afternoon or helped yourself to some late-night munchies, make sure you brush immediately after eating.
Begin by cleaning your mouth with water to loosen or remove food stuck around your braces. Next, brush your gum line and clean the brackets by brushing downward on top of the brackets and upward at the bottom of the brackets. After doing this, you’ll need to rinse your teeth well.
In addition, when you floss, make sure you floss between the braces and under the wires. We recommend you use a floss threader or orthodontic flossers to make flossing under the wires easy.
Clean Your Braces on the Move
Carrying a mini-toothbrush with you as you go about your daily activities is essential. This helps you get rid of food particles in your braces as you eat throughout the day.
More importantly, you don’t have to wait until you get home to clean your braces. You can do that on the go and keep your braces in good condition.
Be Mindful of Foods and Drinks That Cause Stains
There are only a few foods you need to avoid when you wear braces. Your orthodontist will tell you which foods you should avoid during your appointment. Generally, you should be mindful of chewy, crunchy, hard, or sticky foods.
Furthermore, sugary foods and drinks that could cause decay and stains around your braces should also be avoided. The stains can be permanent on your teeth when the braces are removed.
Always Show Up to Your Appointment
You should never skip your visit to the orthodontist for routine care or adjustments. Regular checkups for cavities and signs of gum diseases also need to happen regularly.
In addition, if there are any problems with your orthodontic appliances, especially if they have broken parts or loose wires, they should be brought to the attention of your orthodontist immediately.
Best and Worst Foods To Eat When Wearing Braces
Whether you’re wearing braces or not, your oral and overall health depends on you eating a well-balanced diet. However, having braces means you must be extra careful about your food choices.
The best foods to eat when you’re wearing braces include:
- Scrambled Eggs
- Soups
- Pasta
- Oatmeal
- Soft Cheeses
- Mashed Potatoes
- Seafood
On the other hand, the foods you should avoid while wearing braces include:
- Chips
- Soda
- Caramel
- Toffee
- Crunchy Snacks
- Grape Juice
- Blackcurrant
- Curry Sauce
Are Braces the Right Choice For You? Book an Appointment With Our Orthodontist in Matthews Today
Are you worried about your child’s crooked teeth, tooth gaps, or other teeth misalignment issues? Our orthodontists can take care of all your orthodontic needs. We provide a list of orthodontic services, including braces in Matthews near Stallings and Weddington, NC. Schedule an appointment with us today!
