Despite the discovery of invisalign, a less obvious process of plastic dental trainers will straightening your teeth, traditional metal braces still hold their place as a procedure a lot of people undergo.

Braces are an essential treatment for straightening teeth and correcting bites. Basically, they are composed of brackets individually attached to each tooth, linked together by alastics and a metal wire. Over time, with monthly adjustments and meticulous care by the patient, in two to three years’ time, you will finally have straight and brace-free pearly whites.

Each patient visit  is advised to visit their dentist every month so that they could get their braces tightened. And to keep your braces in their best shape, here are some Dos and Don’ts:

Dos:

• Do eat soft food

Food that are difficult to chew may snag on the brackets of your braces and cause them to snap off of your teeth. Eat food that are soft and easy to chew, and make sure that they are in bite-sized pieces so that you have an easier time.

• Do brush your teeth after every meal

Although it may sound a bit taxing, brushing your teeth after every meal is recommended to avoid stains and discoloration after treatment. Food particles may get stuck in between your brackets or teeth and, if not removed right away, may cause you discomfort once your braces are taken off.

• Do attend your adjustments regularly

The frequency of your adjustments depend on your dentist, but usually, you are asked to visit on a monthly basis so that your braces may be tightened. Make sure to go to these visits religiously because if your braces aren’t tightened, you’ll have to wear them longer than the expected time.

• Do drink beverages that are low in sugar

Try to avoid sugary drinks, especially carbonated ones, as they are highly acidic. This causes your tooth enamel to be even more vulnerable, and may lead to tooth decay and cavities.

• Do call your orthodontist’s office immediately for emergencies

If a bracket comes loose don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as you can, or contact them about it. This is something that should definitely be fixed sooner rather than later.

Don’ts

• Don’t worry if you feel mild discomfort after an orthodontist visit

Tightening braces can lead to mild, temporary pain that will go away on its own. However, if the pain is too much to bear, it may also be be treated with an over-the-counter painkiller. If a wire is poking into your cheek and causing discomfort, use wax on the end to make it more comfortable.

• Don’t eat sticky food

Sticky and chewy food may cause wire damage and loosen brackets. So make sure to avoid caramels, fudges and toffee! Don’t worry because you can have as much as you want again once your braces are off.

• Don’t forget to floss often

Set aside some extra time during your busy day to take care of your braces! Often, brushing just isn’t enough to get rid of those food particles stuck in between your teeth or in between your brackets. Invest in some floss so that your teeth are in tip-top shape after your braces are removed.

For further inquiries regarding dental braces or teeth care, you may set up an appointment with any of the registered dentists on SeeYouDoc! You can even filter them by their location and specialization. Simply register and click book, before choosing the time slot you prefer — it’s that easy! Visit us now at www.seeyoudoc.com for more details.

References: ThinkBraces