Are you currently wearing braces? Or, are you a candidate to wear braces?
If you’re currently wearing them, being fitted for them, or thinking about getting them, it will be a change in lifestyle. You’ll have to consider eating with braces, among other things. But despite the different types of braces, how do you make sure your braces stay aligned?
Don’t let your mind wander, and keep your teeth as best as possible. Need a few tips on what to do? Read on and check out the most common errors with wearing braces and how to avoid them.
1. Not Visiting Your Orthodontist
The importance of visiting your orthodontist while wearing braces cannot be overstated. This is a common error that can lead to serious repercussions. When not regularly checked, your orthodontist is unable to monitor your progress and look for any potential problems with your braces or teeth.
Long-term damage can occur if the patient’s teeth are not kept in check, and the patient may be unable to correctly eat or speak. To avoid this, be sure to visit your orthodontist for routine adjustments and checkups as prescribed.
Additionally, if you ever experience any new pain, discomfort, or other issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to your orthodontist. Regularly scheduled or on-demand appointments like the ones you can make at drrossortho.com will ensure your teeth remain healthy and straight.
2. Not Having the Proper Oral Hygiene
Having proper oral hygiene is essential for patients who wear braces. Without proper oral hygiene, plaque builds up quickly on the teeth and around the braces. These can cause cavities, gum disease, and discolored teeth.
Brushing twice daily and flossing once daily can help to reduce this buildup and ensure the braces are working effectively. It’s important to use toothpaste with fluoride and soft-bristled toothbrushes to adequately clean your teeth. Regular mouthwash use can also help with this.
Having braces and neglecting proper oral hygiene can lead to the failure of the braces to achieve their intended purpose of straightening the teeth. Avoiding this common mistake is easy with a good commitment to brushing and flossing habits.
3. Not Brushing Your Braces
Another common error made when wearing braces is not brushing your braces. This is because when food particles and bacteria can easily become stuck in the wires, brackets, and bands of the braces. In time, it can cause plaque build-up, which can lead to bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay.
In order to avoid these issues, it is important to brush your braces at least twice a day with dentist-approved toothpaste and an interdental toothbrush regularly in order to clean around, between, and under the brackets, wires, and bands.
Making sure that you are regularly brushing your braces will help maintain good oral hygiene and support a healthy smile in the long run.
4. Eating Foods That are Risky
Eating risky food is another common (and tempting) error with wearing braces. This is because it can harm the brackets and wires of the braces, leading to an expensive repair or even replacement.
This can occur when eating food that is sticky like taffy and gum, crunchy like popcorn and chips, hard like nuts and candy, and even acidic like citrus fruits and pickles. To avoid damaging braces, it is important to avoid eating food that is sticky, crunchy, hard, or acidic.
Instead, opt for soft foods like mashed potatoes, yogurt, and shakes that are already cut into small pieces. These can make life easier for anyone wearing braces and also avoid having to remove or re-align braces due to risky food.
5. Chewing Or Biting On Objects
Chewing or biting on objects is already a common oral hygiene mistake, but did you know it’s also a very common issue when wearing braces? This can harm the braces and damage the teeth, gums, and lips. To help avoid this, try to keep their mouth occupied rather than of chewing or biting on objects.
Chew sugar-free gum after meals or snacks instead, as it can help clean the teeth and encourage saliva production that in turn helps cleanse the teeth. Nervous, anxiety, or stress-driven ticks or habits like these can cause major damage to your teeth and braces. So it’s best to avoid them at all times.
6. Trying to Fix It Yourself
It is natural to attempt to fix braces yourself if something breaks or moves out of place. However, this is a common error because, with no proper knowledge and training, there is a possibility of doing more harm than good. Also, many kits that are made to fix braces can void their warranty.
The best plan is to talk to your orthodontist if something moves or breaks instead of taking it upon yourself to fix it. Doing so will ensure that the braces are properly cared for and have the potential to stay in place for the right amount of time.
7. Going for Cheaper Options
Going for cheaper options is always tempting, and many people hesitate to go for the best and opt for those cheaper solutions when it comes to wearing braces. However, this can greatly affect the quality of your orthodontic treatment because cheaper products can often do more harm than good.
One way to avoid going for cheaper options is to always pay attention to the reputation of the orthodontist that you’re getting your braces from. In addition, consulting with an orthodontist can be beneficial to ensure that you’re making the right decision.
Do a bit of research, compare costs between clinics, and if the price is too good to be true, reconsider. Cheaper solutions can lead to poor results, so always make sure to purchase high-quality products for your orthodontic care.
Avoiding Common Errors With Wearing Braces
Overall, wearing braces can be a wonderful experience as you work to improve your smile. But you just need to be sure to avoid the common errors with wearing braces.
Using the correct products, brushing and flossing properly, and keeping regular orthodontic appointments are all important for a successful braces journey. For more tips and tricks to help keep your braces in top condition, reach out to your local orthodontist today.
For more tips and guides, visit our blog today!
