When you’re wearing braces, there are a few things you’ll have to adjust to get the optimal results in the shortest amount of time. If you have any questions about the “do’s and don’ts of living with braces, feel free to ask our team here at True Orthodontics, PC.
Eating
When you have braces, there are a few types of foods that can damage your brackets and bend your wires, leading you to more appointments and longer treatment times. By simply avoiding sticky, chewy, crunchy, and hard foods, as well as foods like corn on the cob, your orthodontic experience will be smoother and will help prevent unnecessary emergency visits.
Cleaning
Maintaining a clean mouth takes focused attention, more so when you are undergoing orthodontic care. You’ll never believe the amount of food that can get lodged between your braces when you eat. Plaque buildup as a result of poor brushing and flossing habits can cause bad breath, or worse, tooth decay! It is so important to brush your teeth after every meal and floss every day. It may seem like a hassle, but it will all be worth it in the end! Make sure you continue your yearly cleaning appointments at your general dental office.
Sports
Protecting your smile if you play sports is essential when you have braces, and mouth guards are an ideal solution to protecting your teeth and gums from injury. Some mouth guards work better than others when you’re wearing braces, so check with our team first. We can advise you on the right mouth guard if you plan on participating in any kind of contact sport.
Following these tips throughout your treatment will help ensure you get the results you want from your treatment in a timely manner. If you have any questions, please give our office a call. We are here to help.