We know that braces can be a little stressful – and we want to do everything possible to help you avoid orthodontic frustrations. At the top of the list? Preventing dental emergencies while you’re in brackets and wires. It’s extra-difficult to deal with an emergency when braces are attached to your teeth, so we advocate for skipping that emergency in the first place. With a little TLC and great oral hygiene, you can keep your teeth healthy and whole throughout treatment.
Check out our infographic below for more details on how to keep your smile safe. There are a few extra details for patients in braces that we’ve included at the bottom of the post – be sure to scroll down to catch them! If you ever have questions about how to treat your braces, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re always here to help!
Protecting Your Teeth Each Day
Making Braces Protection a Top Priority
- Don’t eat foods on the bad list – You can have a varied, satisfying diet without dipping into snacks that are dangerous for your braces. Anything exceptionally sticky, crunchy, hard, or tough could break your brackets or loosen wires. The moment of satisfaction isn’t worth the lost progress and the rush to see your orthodontist.
- Wear a mouth guard – If you engage in contact sports, your braces need protection. A mouth guard will help keep your teeth safe on the field.
- Perfect your brushing and flossing – Oral hygiene is always crucial, but during braces it should take center stage. You need to remove bacteria before it can harden into plaque and harm your enamel or trigger gingivitis. If your enamel decalcifies during treatment, when you get your braces off you’ll discover unsightly white spots. And if you develop cavities, your braces might have to be removed in order for them to be treated, significantly hindering your progress.
- Schedule regular dental exams – It’s extra important to keep a close eye on the state of your teeth. Your dentist will catch cavities early and help stop them from progressing. Even though you’re seeing your orthodontist monthly, they’re not checking for cavities – make sure to still visit your dentist.
- Use fluoride toothpaste – Fluoride toothpaste will remineralize your enamel to help stop erosion and prevent cavities. This will make your oral hygiene easier to keep up on. Fluoride will also help reduce sensitivity for tender teeth.
- Cut down on snacking – You don’t have to give up snacking entirely, but it’s important to keep it to a minimum. When you eat a snack, your mouth doesn’t provide as much saliva as it does during a full meal. This puts your enamel at risk of erosion by acids produced by bad bacteria. If you want a sweet treat, eat it right after dinner instead of mid-afternoon.
Looking for more advice? Just give us a call or send us a message!
Hinsdale Orthodontic Tips | Orthodontist Hinsdale | Orthodontics Hinsdale
