Getting braces when you need them can make a world of difference not just for the appearance of your smile, but also the function of your mouth and your overall self-confidence. That being said, we understand that it can feel like a pretty big time and financial commitment. If you’re making that kind of investment in braces, then you want to make sure you get the best results possible. Here are some ways to help make that happen:
Stay on Top of Your Dental Appointments
Every few weeks while wearing braces, you’ll need to come into the dentist’s office to get your wires adjusted so that your treatment progresses according to schedule. In other words, these adjustments are what keep your teeth moving in the right direction. In addition to helping your orthodontic treatment go as quickly as possible, these appointments also give your dentist and their dental team a chance to make sure your teeth are healthy.
Watch What You Eat
We’re not saying that you need to go on a diet when you have braces. We’re just saying that there are certain foods you should try to steer clear from if you don’t want to potentially damage your braces or cause oral health problems like cavities. For example, be careful with sticky, sugary, and hard foods like candy, soda, corn on the cob, popcorn, and ice as these are all common culprits for getting stuck in braces, contributing to tooth decay, or breaking the orthodontic hardware.
Practice Great Oral Hygiene
It’s not as easy to clean your teeth when you have to navigate the brackets and wires of braces. That’s why you need to take extra care when you’re at home to really clean around your brace’s hardware. You may even want to start using a floss threader, which makes it easier to get the floss thread around all your teeth. Your dentist can also give you tips on how to properly brush and floss if you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. When you look after your oral hygiene, you’re making sure that decay and gum disease don’t get in the way of your treatment and that when your braces come off you’re left with a beautiful, sparkling smile.
Need more help? Want to discuss braces for you or your child? Our team is always ready to help. Please contact our office today!.