After getting metal braces to help straighten your teeth, some activities and foods should be avoided. Braces are fragile and any damage to brackets or wires can set you back on your treatment schedule. Bailey Orthodontics in Farmington and Bountiful wants patients to know what their braces can handle and how to protect their teeth while wearing braces.
Below are just a few of the dos and don’ts of braces that all patients should work hard to follow. Doing so will help your treatment go much smoother and help you avoid damage to your teeth as well.
Do Avoid Sticky Foods
Caramel, candy, and other sticky foods can stick to your braces and be hard to remove. When you eat or try to remove these sticky substances, you could end up pulling brackets off your teeth or breaking wires. Avoiding extremely crunchy or sticky foods will ensure that your braces stay in good condition and can properly adjust your teeth.
Don’t Bite Foreign Objects
Some people have bad habits of biting their nails or chewing on their pencils/pens. These habits can be damaging to your braces and your teeth. Biting on nonedible objects could lead to damage to your brackets or weaken their effectiveness. Many of these habits are done subconsciously so you may have to take extra caution to avoid these acts while receiving orthodontic treatment.
Do Floss Daily
Flossing is important for all people, with or without braces. The dos and don’ts of braces need to include flossing because it is essential to having healthy teeth. Keeping your oral health in proper condition requires flossing, especially with the extra hardware on your teeth. Using flossing picks or water picks can help remove food particles from your teeth and protect your braces.
Don’t Skip Orthodontic Appointments
Attending your appointments with your orthodontist will ensure that you are on track with your progress and that your braces are doing their job. These appointments are also a great time to address any problems you may be having with your braces. Skipping out on these appointments could lead to a longer adjustment process, causing you to wear braces for longer.
Your orthodontist is also very busy, so pulling a no-call/no-show for your appointment can set them behind for the rest of the day. Try to schedule your appointment for a time and day that works best for you and if an emergency arises, call to let the office know you will not be able to make it.
Do Wear A Mouthguard
Playing sports is possible while you have braces, but you will want to protect your mouth with something like a mouthguard when playing contact sports. A mouthguard will help prevent tooth knock out, cuts in your lips from brackets, or broken wires. If you are looking to play sports or rough activities while having braces, your orthodontist may be able to provide a mouthguard for added protection.
Don’t Remove Colored Bands
A major item on the list of dos and don’ts of braces is to protect your elastic bands. While your colored elastic bands may just look decorative, they are crucial to helping adjust your bite and the alignment of your teeth. Removing these elastics can change the course of your treatment. Unless otherwise instructed by your orthodontist, leave your elastics on until your next appointment.
Do Rinse After Eating
Removing as many food particles as possible after eating will help prevent cavities or gum irritation. Rinsing out your mouth or brushing your teeth after eating a meal will help limit problems with your teeth. Rinsing out your mouth will remove loose food particles and limit bacteria in your mouth until you can brush your teeth thoroughly.
Don’t Skip Wearing Elastics
Following the instructions for elastic wear from your orthodontist is crucial to keep your treatment on track. Your orthodontist is trying to align your teeth and make them look straight but is also aligning your bite. This will often require wearing elastic bands. If you want to get your braces off on time and keep your treatment on track don’t skip wearing your elastic bands!
Additional Tips For Orthodontic Treatment
Bailey Orthodontics offers multiple blogs, resources, and virtual options to help patients of all backgrounds and ages. We want to ensure that your investment in braces is well protected by helping you know the dos and don’ts of braces. Our offices in Farmington and Bountiful also have friendly office staff that can answer your questions over the phone or in person.
No matter what stage of life you are in, getting proper oral care is always worth it. Our orthodontists and staff are happy to be the experts you trust with your oral health. To learn more about financing, what services we offer, or how to take care of your braces, head to our website.
