Traditional fixed braces for straightening crooked teeth are now more discreet, pleasant, and durable. Nonetheless, to get the greatest results from your orthodontic treatment, there are a few things you should keep in mind when wearing braces.

While braces’ wires and brackets make brushing and flossing more difficult, it is critical to practice basic oral hygiene to prevent food debris and bacterial plaque from building on your braces and teeth. Additionally, it would be best to keep in mind that the brackets and wires of braces are delicate.

Here are some critical points to consider when wearing braces:

1. Never skip dental appointments

It is critical to keep all dental and orthodontic appointments. Your orthodontist has meticulously designed a dental treatment plan for your teeth. This plan will specify when and how often your braces will need to be modified and how long you will need to wear them. Failure to adhere to the prescribed visit schedule may interrupt this timeframe and result in you wearing braces for longer than anticipated. 

Your dentist will thoroughly clean your teeth, using specific instruments designed for individuals wearing braces to remove any plaque collected before forming cavities. Suppose your dentist determines that you may need more care during orthodontic treatment.

In that case, they may prescribe more regular professional cleanings to keep your mouth as healthy as possible while wearing braces. Gum health is also critical for your braces to function properly. It is essential to understand that many adults suffer from gum disease, and approximately one in every five orthodontic patients today is an adult. Orthodontic therapy throughout gum disease may worsen the patient’s prognosis.

2. Regularly scheduled cleanings.

Plaque, discoloration, and tartar on your teeth are virtually hard to remove using brackets, wires, and bands. Without expert assistance, this accumulation will result in gingivitis and demineralize the teeth, particularly around the brackets, where the majority of plaque tends to adhere. 

Schedule a cleaning visit with your hygienist every three months to avoid dental issues. Children who are wearing braces should also get their teeth cleaned regularly.

Failure to maintain healthy teeth and gums due to poor dental hygiene will cause your treatment to be delayed. Poor dental hygiene causes teeth to advance more slowly due to infection. Swollen gum tissue makes it more difficult for your orthodontist to operate on you. If the gum infection grows bad enough, you may be obliged to remove your braces to manage it. It will undoubtedly lengthen your therapy.

3. Floss Properly

Braces may make brushing more complex, making flossing more critical. Flossing can help avoid cavities, gum irritation, and foul breath when wearing braces. Floss at least once a day, and be careful to floss under wires and between brackets.

While waxed floss glides smoothly between your teeth, unwaxed floss is significantly more likely to grab on the braces, shredding the floss. Alternatively, if you have noticeable gaps between your teeth, an interdental brush may be better, while an oral irrigator may clean hard-to-reach places.

Avoid rushing flossing, as it may take up to three times as long with braces, and floss immediately before bed to remove any food debris and break down any lingering plaque build-up.

4. Avoid Specific Beverages

When wearing braces, it is critical to protect your teeth from a sugar overdose since this may cause damage to both your braces and teeth. Sugary, acidic, and carbonated beverages may erode the glue holding the orthodontic brackets to your teeth. 

Additionally, they may increase the danger of a bracket coming out, allowing germs to enter behind the bracket and begin forming a cavity. Carbonated beverages and fruit juices are often heavy in sugar and maybe acidic, eroding tooth enamel dramatically. Make sure you go for simple water and milk instead.

You might ask if there is an Invisalign dentist near me. If you are using removable Invisalign aligners, you must remember to remove them anytime you consume a sugary beverage. These sweets may enter the aligner and bathe your teeth in sugar and acid, so it’s also good to avoid sugary meals like cake and ice cream.

When wearing braces, the most important thing to remember is to follow your orthodontist’s instructions and advice. It will ensure that you get the most out of your orthodontic treatment and have the greatest possible opportunity of getting your ideal smile. Nothing makes orthodontists happier than seeing their patients’ newly gorgeous and confident smiles. Inform your orthodontist if you have any concerns regarding your braces. Communication, as always, is critical.