Life With Braces: Tips For Eating, Oral Hygiene, And Maintenance

So, finally, you are up with your braces? Maintaining good dental hygiene and regular tooth brushing may be unpleasant and painful initially, but it is essential in the long run. Why risk ruining your much-improved smile by neglecting your teeth after getting braces? 

In the course of dental therapy, braces maintenance tips rank high. Taking excellent care of your braces is essential if you want a good outcome and to lessen the likelihood of complications. Here are some of the most needed tips for maintaining your braces. 

Problems Faced by Persons with Braces

People who use braces have to face a lot of problems initially. It is easier for them to follow any braces maintenance tips if they know exactly what problems they will face. Let’s have a look at the issues caused by braces. 

• Discomfort: During the initial period of adjustment to the braces, it is usual for the teeth to experience discomfort and soreness. 
• Hygiene: Cleaning around braces can be challenging, resulting in plaque accumulation and tooth decay.
• Diet: As foods that are hard, sticky, or chewy can cause damage to braces, dietary changes are required.
• Speech: The process of adjusting to the braces can cause some individuals to experience speech difficulties when they are wearing them. 
• Inflammation: Braces can create irritation or sores on the gums, cheeks, or lips. 
• Treatment: The treatment with braces normally takes anywhere from a few months to several years, requiring patience. 
• Emergency: Urgent appointments to the orthodontist may be necessary in an emergency, such as when tooth breakage or discomfort occurs. 
• Looks: Even though braces are often only worn briefly, some people may feel self-conscious about their looks.

Braces Maintenance Tips for Better Oral Hygiene

Food debris sticks to braces and wires, forming plaque and tartar. Plaque affects enamel and stains teeth. Maintaining proper tooth cleaning with braces is essential. These 4 simple teeth and braces maintenance tips and cleaning methods can keep your teeth healthy and sparkling! 

• Brush After Every Meal

We recommend brushing after every meal. That’s optional while traveling, between meetings, or at work. After each meal, slush your mouth with water or mouthwash to control damage. Slushing cleans braces of food particles. 

• Use Soft-Bristled Toothbrush 

Your toothbrush must clean your gums and teeth. Total oral hygiene with braces requires it. However, harsh toothbrush bristles might inflame or bleed gums. Your teeth and braces cleaning kit should include a soft-bristled toothbrush. 

• Correct Braces Cleaning Technique 

Brush all brackets when brushing teeth with braces. Cleaning your teeth, gum line, roof of your mouth, and tongue is essential. Brush daily for 2 minutes at least four times. Be sure to replace your toothbrush occasionally. 

• Always Floss After Brush 

Cleaning between teeth with floss removes any food particles that brushing can’t. The braces cleaning package must include floss threads or a water flosser. Use thin floss wires as brace wires to prevent the floss from passing between teeth.

• Regularly Visit Your Orthodontist

It is one of the most important braces maintenance tips. You must make regular visits to your orthodontist. During these visits, your orthodontist can see how your teeth are growing, make necessary changes, and fix any problems. 

Wrapping Up: Food Choices for People with Braces

To keep your braces in good condition, you need to control what you eat. Several foods have the potential to cause damage to your braces. Hence, eating with braces can cause discomfort and possibly delay treatment. If you have braces, here are some ideas for maintaining a healthy diet: 

• Chop up crunchy meals into pieces that are easier to handle and bite-sized. 
• Taffy, caramels, and chewing gum are chewy and sticky foods; you should avoid eating them.
• Avoid eating nuts, popcorn, and ice, as these are hard objects that can potentially damage your brackets or cables. 
• Your braces will not be subjected to excessive tension if you choose softer foods, such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, and cooked vegetables.