Caring for Braces

a smiling patient with braces from Naborowski Orthodontics

Braces are a common treatment for correcting the alignment of your teeth, improving both your smile and the health of your mouth. Traditional braces use metal brackets and wires to achieve proper alignment. The brackets are bonded to the front surfaces of each tooth. A wire then spans your entire arch and is attached to each bracket. Braces are a highly effective treatment. However, for them to do their job properly, they need to be taken care of. Naborowski Orthodontics is here to help.

Your Oral Hygiene With Braces

Brushing and flossing every day is important for preventing serious oral health complications. It is especially important when you are wearing braces. In addition to brushing in the morning and before bed, it is also recommended that you brush after each meal. Using a soft bristled brush, angle the head of your toothbrush against your brackets so that you can brush around them. Spend several seconds on each tooth. In addition to brushing the fronts of your teeth, do not forget to brush the chewing surfaces and the backs as well. While it is typically recommended that you change your toothbrush every three months, you may notice that your bristles fray faster with braces. Change your toothbrush as soon as you notice fraying to ensure optimal brushing.

Flossing should still be done at least once a day. In addition to removing plaque, bacteria, and other debris from between your teeth, it is also important for removing debris from under your wires and around your brackets. You may find it difficult to thread the floss under your wires, but a floss threader can make the process easier. Floss the spaces between your teeth as well as around your brackets. Do not forget to floss behind your very back teeth.
> Read more about Braces and Dental Hygiene.

How to Protect Your Braces

If you play sports, you already know the importance of wearing a mouth guard. This oral device is designed to protect your teeth, your intraoral tissues, and your jawbone from serious injuries. With braces, you are at a greater risk for more serious injuries while playing sports. However, you cannot wear your regular mouth guard. Instead, we can create a custom mouth guard that can fit around your braces and provide you with optimal protection.
> Read more about Protecting Your Braces.

What if I Have a Braces-Related Emergency?

While taking care of your braces can reduce your risk for the development of many issues, sometimes emergencies occur. Your bracket might pop loose, or a wire may bend or break. When emergencies arise, it is important to schedule an appointment right away. This will help to avoid delays in your orthodontic treatment. If you are dealing with discomfort, such as a protruding wire, paraffin wax can help you to remain comfortable until your appointment.
> Read more about Braces Emergencies.

Foods to Avoid with Braces

There are many foods that can cause issues with braces, including loosening brackets, bending wires, and breaking wires. You should avoid eating foods that can lead to these problems. Foods to avoid include those that are hard, crunchy, chewy, sticky, or acidic. Examples include popcorn, corn on the cob, whole apples, many types of raw vegetables, crusty bread, chewy meats, hard candies, gummy candies, and chewing gum.

You might be left wondering what you can eat. There are still plenty of foods you can enjoy. Opt for foods that have a softer texture, such as oatmeal, scrambles eggs, yogurt, smoothies, and potatoes. You can also alter foods that you should avoid to enjoy them. This includes cutting apples into slices, steaming or roasting raw vegetables, and cutting corn off the cob.

Taking care of your braces helps to ensure that they move your teeth properly and in the least amount of time possible. Call Naborowski Orthodontics at (630) 543-5051 if you have any questions regarding the care of your braces today.

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