A dental professional will usually recommend braces to straighten irregular teeth. The thought of years of putting on metal aligners and the associated financial commitment should not scare you away. Apart from straightening your teeth and giving you a dazzling smile, professionally installed aligners will boost your oral health.
If you decide to go with traditional metal aligners, brackets will be attached to each tooth and connected with a wire.
Here are 7 tips for wearing braces:
1. Seek advice from your orthodontist concerning cleaning tools
Cleaning all the crannies between your teeth, wires, and brackets can prove to be a daunting task. Luckily, a qualified orthodontist can recommend appropriate dental cleaning tools to simplify the entire process.
Tools, such as interdental brushes, allow you to clean your teeth and the areas between your wires and brackets thoroughly before flossing and brushing. We may recommend a floss threader that allows you to floss places that are hard to reach.
2. Change your toothbrush on a regular basis
When you start your orthodontic treatment, you will probably need to change your toothbrush more often, especially if you are wearing traditional metal braces or aligners with clear-colored brackets.
The brackets and wires will cause your toothbrush to wear down more rapidly. Always use a soft-bristled or an electric toothbrush.
3. Carry out a thorough cleaning numerous times a day
Once you begin your orthodontic treatment, you should consider increasing the number of times you brush and floss each day. You should floss at least thrice every day.
Remove any large food particles trapped around the brackets or in the wires using the interdental brush, and then brush your teeth thoroughly.
4. Adjust your diet
After installing the aligners, your orthodontist will advise you against eating hard-to-chew foods. Remember, the use of excessive force while chewing can interfere with the alignment of the wires and even cause them to break. Minimize the quantity of sugary and starchy foods you consume to lower the risks of tooth decay.
5. Consider using fluoride
Wearing traditional metal braces for a long duration may trigger some form of tooth decay. Fortunately, fluoride is instrumental in killing the bacteria that causes tooth decay. You can clean your teeth using toothpaste with fluoride.
Alternatively, you may rinse your mouth on a daily basis using a mouthwash that contains fluoride. Consider rinsing your mouth with one of these after every meal.
6. Floss correctly
Flossing plays a significant role in boosting your oral hygiene. Be gentle when flossing your gums to avoid the irritation that could lead to infections.
7. Visit your orthodontist
Once you have your aligners in places, it is advisable to visit your orthodontist regularly. Apart from cleaning your mouth, your dental specialist will adjust your braces to suit the shifting shape of your teeth.
The specialist will also recommend appropriate tools for cleaning your mouth and tips for improving your orthodontic experience.
You must remain committed to the orthodontic treatment process for you to achieve your dream smile. Attend every orthodontist appointment and strictly adhere to the instructions you get. If you must miss an appointment, consider rescheduling it rather than waiting a month. That way, you will make your orthodontic experience short and memorable.