There are a number of reasons why someone might need braces
on their teeth, despite the stigma that once came with having them. From
crooked, gapped or crowded teeth, to overbites and underbites, the idea is to
wear them for as long as is necessary to fix the condition and not a moment
longer. As expensive and inconvenient as these devices can be, the best way to
avoid wearing them any longer or having to get them repaired is to take proper
care of them from the start. This can be accomplished with a few good oral
hygiene habits and a touch of common sense.
1.) Brush carefully
If you ever took brushing for granted in the past, you'll
need to develop some more consistent and meticulous brushing habits. Brushing
after every single meal is one of the best ways to avoid trapping food
particles and bacteria that might cause cavities. It might hurt a bit at first
to brush, but this should go away after the first week. Keep in mind that there
are special toothbrushes designed specifically for this purpose, allowing you
to get into those hard-to-reach places.
2.) Floss regularly
Although flossing might seem incredibly difficult with
braces, it's actually more important than ever before, since there are that
many more places where food can get caught. Ask your dentist or orthodontist
about flossing techniques to help you get behind the main arch wire and up to
the gum area. There are also special flossers available to make this easier.
3.) Stay away from certain foods
Your orthodontist will give you a list of foods to stay away
from that you should pay special attention to. This is likely to include hard,
sticky, chewy and crunchy foods. Hard foods like nuts and hard candies can
actually damage the wires and most of the others on the list can get easily
stuck in places that are hard to reach. In addition, it is often recommended
that you stick to soft foods for the first few days, avoiding tough meats, raw
vegetables and hard bread.
4.) Wear a mouthguard when necessary
This applies primarily to athletes who participate in
contact sports where there might be a chance of getting hit in the mouth.
Wrestling, martial arts and football are a few examples of activities where
there's a greater chance of either damaging your orthodontics, or possibly even
causing injury to the soft tissues of the mouth.
5.) Don't miss any dental appointments
Your orthodontist will expect to see you regularly, to check
your progress. Treatment time varies from one patient to another and these
follow-up appointments are necessary to make any adjustments and further
recommendations, based on how well your particular treatment is progressing. If
there is any damage to your braces, this is the time to get it fixed. Most
orthodontists will take care of any normal or common repairs, but don't expect
them to cover damage due to neglect or missing appointments. Remember not to
miss any non-orthodontic dental appointments, either.
The length of time you have to wear your braces can range
from a few months to a couple years, or more. Until it's time for them to come
off, it's important that you take better care of your teeth than you ever have
in the past and treat your orthodontics with the very same care, as though they
were a part of your own mouth. Think of them as an investment not only in
financial terms, but also in terms of what they will do for your appearance in
the years to come.
