Learning to live with braces can be challenging, no matter your age. Luckily, once you know the basics, everything becomes second nature, like riding a bike. You will understand how to traverse this unfamiliar territory confidently and help others cope.
Braces can do more than straighten teeth — they can adjust for missing or extra teeth, fix an over- or underbite, and help jaw disorders. There are many motivations for getting braces, and they can improve your overall health.
Aftercare 101
Getting braces is a rewarding long-term commitment, and you may need to change your lifestyle — but the result will be worth it. People of all ages may fear getting them. Kids may think they aren’t cool, and adults may feel shame for waiting so long. Don’t worry about what’s outside your control and think about the end result.
Cleaning braces properly is a must. Your orthodontist Warrington if you are in that area, will provide the best tips and tricks for navigating your metal or clear aligners. Each kind requires different upkeep. You must also be even more vigilant with routine dental hygiene.
If you’re the type to consider skipping your nighttime brush because you’re already comfy in bed, take a moment to remind yourself how important it is. Flossing, or using interdental brushes if you have metal braces, is also essential in getting food out of the way. Food is more likely to gum up the works now there are more pockets for it to hide.
Ensuring you stay on top of your orthodontist’s recommended checkup schedule is vital for success. Also, let the doctor make every single adjustment. Never attempt to do anything yourself, however “easy” it may seem. Don’t adjust bands, brackets or wires or manipulate aligners. Doctors may need to recreate a mold for your aligners or change the bands on brackets as teeth move into position. Let the professionals do the hard work.
Going to these checkups will keep your teeth on track and save you money in the long run. Even though a doctor is looking at your teeth, still make checkups with your regular dentist in conjunction with orthodontic appointments. They will provide cleanings and allow you to avoid temptations such as self-whitening. Don’t use whitening agents on your mouth, as this can cause uneven teeth coloring once you are free from braces. Each doctor provides different skill sets and benefits, so it’s vital to go to both.
Eating With Braces
Patients with braces often get concerned it will hinder their enjoyment of food. There are ways to relish the foods you love, but keep your braces in mind. It’s important to keep them safe in their temporary home.
For your health, make it a priority to know what foods do and don’t want to befriend your braces. Be attentive when eating these foods:
- Chewy foods: Taffy, bagels, thick cuts of meat
- Crunchy foods: Chips, ice, popcorn
- Sticky foods: Caramel, gum, toffee
- Hard foods: Nuts, hard candies, dried fruit
- Foods you bite into with front teeth: Carrots, corn on the cob
- Sugary drinks: Soda, sweet tea, alcohol
Softer foods like dairy products, bread, tender proteins and soft sweets are all up for grabs so long as they steer clear of those red flags.
Eating certain foods can cause issues like breaking off a bracket, snapping bands or causing wires to poke into your gums. However, everything is fixable. There are waxes to place over sore areas or you can use mouth guards, depending on your daily activities. These can help buy time when waiting to see your doctor.
Minimizing Obstacles
You may experience soreness after your braces are put on or adjusted after appointments. It seems like it’ll last for an eternity, but it won’t. There are plenty of over-the-counter medications to assist, or your doctor can advise if the pain is too much.
There’s always the question of physical activity and how it can affect your braces. Fortunately, advances in medicine have allowed us to live our lives with braces with very few interruptions. Playing sports just requires more care. Inform your orthopedic doctor if you need a mouth guard or ointments if cuts or scrapes appear in your mouth from athletic activity. Warm saltwater can also assist if you’re waiting to see a doctor for something more urgent.
Arguably the biggest obstacle anyone with braces has is their own patience. Be sure to set realistic expectations — they will come off eventually. Complications can arise outside of your control as well. Don’t hold the removal date as set in stone. Understand you may need to keep braces on longer depending on how your mouth reacts or if there’s an unfortunate obstacle like an injury.
Once your braces’ tenure is complete, celebrate yourself and your award-winning smile. Your orthodontist and dentist will guide you through proper aftercare. This includes how to wear a retainer and the frequency of checkups.
A New, Shiny Smile
Living with braces means adjusting your daily routine. The average time is about two years, give or take everyone’s unique situation and retainer usage. Keeping up with your habits or helping kids with theirs starts with knowledge about best practices. Living with braces isn’t difficult — it’s just different.