Have you just gotten your Metal Braces in Bronx NY recently? Welcome to the community! You’re at the start of your tremendous journey to beautiful teeth, and we couldn’t be more excited!
That being said, the moment you have braces, you need to start paying even more attention to your teeth and practicing the proper care treatment for braces in order to ensure that the treatment remains effective all throughout. One wrong move can damage your braces, your teeth, or both. The last thing you want is to have cavities or tooth decay in the middle of your braces treatment.
Here are 5 helpful tips to follow after getting metal braces treatment.
#1 – Brush At Least Twice a Day
Prior to getting metal braces, we all have been told to brush at least two times a day, right? Well, you need to maintain that habit especially after getting metal braces. As much as possible, brush your teeth right after every meal, because you want to avoid harboring bacteria inside your mouth now that you have braces on.
By brushing as often as you can, you eliminate all the bacteria that contribute to the development of cavities and even tooth decay. One thing to take note of is to brush correctly and not aggressively. Some have a habit of brushing too hard which can damage the gums and braces.
#2 – Don’t Forget About Flossing
Besides brushing your teeth regularly, you mustn’t forget about flossing! Flossing is also important when it comes to maintaining good oral hygiene. With braces, it’s a bit trickier to floss which is why our Orthodontist in Bronx NY will demonstrate to you how to floss properly with braces.
Additionally, food particles can easily get stuck in between the crevices of the bracket and wires, which makes flossing a necessary step in cleaning your teeth. It eliminates the hidden bacteria which can produce plaque buildup if not spotted immediately.
So, if you haven’t purchased yourself some dental floss yet then now’s the time to finally do so, in order to decrease your chances of accumulating plaque and bacteria.
#3 – Avoid Using Your Teeth as a Tool
Sometimes we use our teeth to open things like bottles, hard-to-open packaging, peanut shells, and many more. This is a habit you must refrain from doing the minute you get braces. This will damage the overall structure of the braces and alter your teeth’s alignment, making the entire treatment null. You would have to spend even more money and time just to repair the brackets and wires and also to make up for the lost time.
If you are fond of doing this, then maybe it’s about time for you to pick up a handy bottle opener or an all-in-one tool so that you no longer have to use your teeth.
#4 – Don’t Skip Your Visit to the Orthodontist
When your orthodontist schedules a visit with you, you have to abide by the plan. Your orthodontist is here to help you and not make your life miserable. These scheduled visits are vital because they will have to check on the progress and inspect the current situation of your teeth and braces.
Additionally, they’ll be able to see if there’s a wire poking out or a loose bracket and fix it immediately. So, don’t be afraid to visit your orthodontist especially if there’s a scheduled visit.
#5 – Refrain From Eating Foods That Can Damage Your Braces
Avoid eating foods that are crunchy, sticky, chewing, or involves a lot of bite into them as it can potentially damage your braces. By this time already you know that there are food restrictions while you’re wearing your braces. Not only can these kinds of food destroy the structure of your braces, but they can be a bit tedious to remove when you’re cleaning your teeth.
As much as you’re craving them, do yourself a favor and try to hold off on eating these foods for the time being. You’ll thank yourself in the long run, trust us.
Additional Tips to Follow After Getting Metal Braces
Taking care of your teeth and braces at the same time can seem like a daunting task, but once you get the hang of it, then the rest is like clockwork.
With those five tips, you’re sure to have a pleasant experience with your braces. However, if you’d like to know more then here are some more key points for you to follow after getting metal braces.
#1 – Rinse with a saltwater solution
Rinsing your mouth with a saltwater solution is key especially if you feel like the inside of your mouth is feeling irritated by the braces. It helps to keep any inflammation at bay, and also prevents you from getting any sores inside your mouth.
Simply add a teaspoon of salt to lukewarm water and swish it around your mouth for a few minutes before rinsing it out. It’s one of the most simple yet effective treatments to prevent sores and the spread of infection.
#2 – Use orthodontic wax
Orthodontic wax is great for keeping your braces moisturized. A dry mouth can harbor bacteria and be more prone to irritation. Additionally, the wax will stop your tongue, lips, gums, and cheeks from coming into contact with your braces, alleviating any uncomfortable feeling you have.
Take off a pea-sized amount of wax and push it gently toward the troublesome areas in your mouth.
Avoid grinding your teeth
Also known as bruxism, grinding your teeth excessively is a habit you need to kill as soon as you’re getting metal braces. Persistent grinding or clenching can cause your teeth to break, and for someone with braces, it can damage them as well. Bruxism can undo the hard work your braces have made and the entire treatment process can end up kaput.
Before getting metal braces, you must let your orthodontist know if you have any extreme habits like that so that they can be treated prior to the treatment.
Conclusion
Here at Northeastern Braces, we want what’s best for you and your teeth. We’re a team of happy orthodontists in Newburgh or Bronx, NY. Contact us today and we’ll be eager enough to answer any concerns you have regarding braces.
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