Meta Description: Protect your smile! Discover the most common mistakes to avoid after getting braces and how to care for your teeth during your orthodontic journey.
Braces are an investment in your smile and overall oral health. But to ensure successful treatment, the way you care for your braces and teeth matters immensely. While your orthodontist will provide guidance, it’s easy to slip into habits that might jeopardize your results or delay your treatment timeline. Here’s a list of common errors to avoid after getting braces (and what to do instead).
1. Skipping Regular Cleaning
Slacking on oral hygiene is a major no-go when you have braces. Braces create countless tiny spaces where food can get stuck, making your mouth more prone to plaque buildup, cavities, and gum disease.
Brush your teeth after every meal using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Don’t forget to make flossing part of your daily routine. Use floss threaders or a water flosser to get between wires and prevent buildup in hard-to-reach places.
2. Eating the Wrong Foods
Chewy candies, crunchy snacks, and hard foods like popcorn and nuts should be avoided at all costs. These foods can get lodged in your braces or even bend the wires, which can affect your treatment and extend your orthodontic timeline.
Stick with braces-friendly foods such as soft fruits, yogurt, mashed potatoes, soups, and smoothies. Your orthodontist may give you a more comprehensive list to make smart food choices easier.
3. Not Wearing Rubber Bands (Elastics) as Directed
If you’ve been assigned rubber bands as part of your treatment plan, skipping them or not wearing them regularly can disrupt the progress of your braces. These elastics are essential for correcting jaw alignment and ensuring your treatment stays on track.
Commit to wearing your rubber bands exactly as your orthodontist prescribes. Keep an extra pack handy at home or in your bag in case you lose them or need replacements.
4. Ignoring Broken Wires or Brackets
Broken wires, loose brackets, or other braces issues might seem minor, but they can affect the alignment of your teeth if left unaddressed. Worse, they may even cause pain or discomfort.
If you notice damage to your braces, don’t wait. Contact your orthodontist as soon as possible to address the issue. You can use orthodontic wax to cover sharp edges temporarily until your appointment.
5. Skipping Orthodontic Appointments
Regular check-ups are crucial to monitor the progress of your treatment and make adjustments as necessary. Delaying or missing these appointments means your braces won’t work as effectively as they should, potentially adding months to your treatment timeline.
Make orthodontic appointments a non-negotiable in your calendar. If you have a scheduling conflict, reschedule as soon as possible to avoid delaying your treatment progress.
6. Neglecting to Protect Your Teeth During Activities
If you’re an athlete or enjoy sports, forgetting to wear a mouthguard can put your teeth and braces at risk. A blow to the mouth could lead to costly repairs and a painful setback in your treatment.
Always wear a properly fitted mouthguard while playing sports. Your orthodontist may suggest a specialized guard designed to fit comfortably over braces.
7. Not Addressing Discomfort Early
It’s normal to feel some discomfort after adjustments or when first wearing braces. However, ignoring persistent pain or irritation can lead to bigger problems or make your experience unnecessarily unpleasant.
Discuss any irritation or pain with your orthodontist. They might recommend a simple adjustment or provide relief tips, like using orthodontic wax or rinsing with saltwater.
8. Skipping Retainers After Your Braces Come Off
Your teeth aren’t guaranteed to stay in place once your braces are removed. Skipping retainers increases the risk of your teeth shifting back, undoing all the effort and money you’ve invested in your alignment.
Wear your retainers as instructed by your orthodontist. Consistency is key to maintaining the alignment achieved through braces.
By avoiding these mistakes and prioritizing your braces care routine, your orthodontic treatment can progress smoothly, giving you a healthier, straighter smile in no time. For further insights into post-treatment care and options like bonding teeth braces, speak with your orthodontist or explore trusted orthodontic resources online.
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