If you are considering getting orthodontic appliances or if you already have them on, you should know that proper maintenance is a must. In this blog article, we will focus on helping you find the right way to maintain your teeth during the whole orthodontic treatment and understand its importance.
Although orthodontic appliances and braces especially can make it difficult for you to properly clean your teeth and keep your mouth looking and smelling fresh, we have some great advice that will help you maintain a perfect smile throughout the treatment.
Types Of Orthodontic Appliances
Orthodontic appliances come in different types and they are all designed to align and straighten teeth, correct the bite issues, and improve oral health. The way they achieve this purpose will be different.
Understanding these orthodontic appliances and why they are used will be the first step towards managing your oral care the right way through all the treatments.
Braces
Braces are the most commonly used orthodontic appliance. They consist of metal brackets and a wire that will be attached to the teeth with dental adhesive and tiny rubber bands so they won’t move.
By constantly applying pressure to the teeth, they will shift and align them in the proper position. Although they are mostly used in younger children, they will also be effective in adults.
Braces come in different materials including metal ceramic and plastic, although metal is used more. To make them less visible, the orthodontist will offer colored rubber bands that you can choose from.
Clear Aligners
One of the best advancements in orthodontics is clear aligners also known as Invisalign. Unlike braces, these clear aligners can be removed every time you eat and brush your teeth making the cleaning process easier.
These invisible trays are customized for your teeth and need to be replaced every two weeks or so to gradually apply pressure, helping align your teeth properly.
Palatal Expanders
For those patients who are dealing with a narrow upper jaw, orthodontists might recommend a palatal expander that will widen the jaw due to the pressure that they apply on the upper molars. During this treatment, the orthodontist will make the necessary adjustments that will help with the process.
Retainers
After each orthodontic treatment, retainers need to be used. These retainers will help keep the teeth in their new position and prevent them from shifting.
They will either be removable or fixed, depending on the patient’s wishes and what the orthodontist recommends. Retainers are a must if you want to keep the results for a long time.
Headgear
Lastly, we have headgear, an orthodontic appliance often used in severe cases of bite issues. This device attaches to the braces from the back of the head and applies extra pressure to help move the teeth and jaw. However, headgear is not as commonly used as it once was, as more comfortable treatment options are now available.
Daily Oral Hygiene Practices
To protect your teeth and gums throughout orthodontic treatment, you must practice good oral hygiene. Here are some tips for maintaining the best possible oral health while dealing with the challenges of orthodontic appliances:
Brushing with Braces or Aligners
Brushing your teeth with orthodontic appliances on can be challenging but if you find the right technique the process will become much easier. First, we will start by finding the right toothbrush that is braces-friendly.
While brushing your teeth you should keep the brush at a 45-degree angle and focus on cleaning around the wires and brackets. Do this for at least two minutes and pay the right attention to each tooth.
For people who have orthodontic appliances, the frequency of brushing their teeth is very important. If possible we suggest our patients brush after every meal so they prevent plaque buildup and help remove food particles that can get stuck between the brackets.
However, if you cannot brush your teeth, we would suggest a quick rinse of the mouth with water that will minimize the risk of decay and stains.
Flossing With Orthodontic Appliances
Flossing with orthodontic appliances will be a little more challenging than brushing. If you have braces, we recommend orthodontic flossers, and water flossers that can help reach difficult areas in the teeth without damaging the wires and brackets.
Just like brushing, flossing should be at least done twice a day to remove food particles and food debris that will not be removed by brushing the teeth. Not only will this keep the teeth clean but it will also protect them from gum disease and tooth decay through all the treatment.
Choosing The Right Products
Choosing the right products to use during the orthodontic treatment is another important factor to consider. We recommend our patients to use fluoride toothpaste as this will help them keep the tooth enamel healthy and protect them from the development of cavities.
Antibacterial mouthwashes will also be helpful as they can reduce bacteria and remove food particles from areas that are difficult to reach. Additionally, orthodontists also recommend interdental brushes. These small brushes will work the same as dental floss and will help clean around braces and underwires.
Eating Habits And Diet Considerations
When it comes to keeping the mouth healthy and the orthodontic appliances in place, eating habits and diet considerations play a huge role. Furthermore, we will mention some foods that you should avoid and what to consume if you want the treatment to be successful and without any interference.
Foods To Avoid
Some foods that you should exclude from your diet if you have braces include:
- Hard foods like candies, nuts, and ice can damage and shift the brackets and wires. If this happens, you should visit your orthodontist to have them put back in place.
- It’s also a good idea to avoid sticky foods, as they can get caught in braces, are difficult to remove, and increase the risk of decay if they remain for too long.
- Chips, popcorn, and hard pretzels are some examples of crunchy foods that can bend wires or loosen brackets. To keep the braces in place it is a good idea to avoid them.
- Cutting foods like apples, carrots, or corn into small, bite-sized pieces can also help lower the risk of damaging braces by preventing biting them directly.
Safe and Recommended Foods
During your orthodontic treatment is it a good idea to consume soft foods and products that are gentle on the teeth and provide the proper nutrients to keep the teeth and gums healthy. For example, foods like bananas, and berries will be a good choice as they provide the right nutrients and won’t damage the brackets.
In addition to fruits, incorporating lean proteins, whole grains, and dairy products into your diet will be very beneficial. These foods help ensure that your mouth stays healthy from the inside out.
Hydration
Be sure to stay hydrated throughout your orthodontic treatment. Water aids in washing away germs and food particles. Additionally, it maintains oral hydration by encouraging salivation, which naturally protects teeth by removing food particles and neutralizing mouth acids.
Changing your eating habits while undergoing orthodontic treatment is important for maintaining dental health as well as protecting your appliances. A well-balanced diet helps you have a more successful orthodontic journey overall and reduces the likelihood of having to see the orthodontist for repairs in cases of emergency.
To guarantee that your treatment continues successfully, your orthodontist may provide personalized dietary recommendations during your routine visits.
Dealing With Common Orthodontic Issues
Sometimes small problems or discomforts result after or during orthodontic treatments. The procedure can go more smoothly and comfortably if you are ready and know how to manage these kinds of situations. Some of the most common issues include:
Soreness And Discomfort
After braces are adjusted or a new aligner is applied, it’s common to feel a little discomfort in your teeth and gums for a few days, due to the pressure applied. Pain can be reduced using over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
During this time, eating soft meals like mashed potatoes, smoothies, and soups helps ease the pressure on your teeth and gums.
Irritation From Braces
If you are experiencing irritation from braces or other orthodontic appliances, you can apply dental wax on the brackets or wires that are bothering you. This will provide relief while also protecting the soft tissues of the mouth.
Another thing you can do to prevent irritation is to keep the area clean and use a saltwater rinse that will help heal the sores or cuts in the mouth that brackets and braces can cause.
Loose Or Broken Brackets And Wires
If you have braces it is quite common for the brackets to become loose or the wires to break. If this happens cover the sharp edges with dental wax until you visit your dentist. This will help keep the mouth healthy and avoid injury to the gums.
Emergency Situations
As with any other dental procedure, several situations can require immediate help while having braces. It is always a good idea to be prepared so keep your orthodontist’s number registered. This will be useful in emergency situations like severe pain and significant appliance damage.
Effectively managing these common orthodontic problems can reduce discomfort and guarantee that your treatment proceeds without setbacks. To resolve any issues and obtain prompt treatment, you must maintain regular contact with your orthodontist. This will guarantee the best possible conclusion for your orthodontic journey.
The Importance Of Regular Dental Care During Orthodontic Treatment
To guarantee the health and effectiveness of your smile makeover, it is essential to continue getting routine dental care while undergoing orthodontic treatment. Here’s why routine cleanings and thorough checkups are a crucial part of the process:
Monitoring Progress
Your treatment progress may be monitored with routine visits to the orthodontist. During these consultations, braces or aligners can be adjusted to make sure the treatment plan is on track and to make any required adjustments to get the desired result.
Professional Cleaning
Having orthodontic equipment makes cleaning your teeth more difficult. In hard-to-reach places like brackets and cables, plaque and tartar can build up. A dental hygienist’s professional cleanings help in removing this accumulation, avoiding tooth decay, gum disease, and discoloration in the future.
Early Detection Of Problems
Frequent dental examinations make it possible to identify and treat possible problems like cavities, gum disease, or device wear and tear early on. Early detection and treatment can stop these issues from getting worse and compromise the orthodontic treatment’s final outcome.
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