As far as correcting any orthodontic issue is concerned, it goes miles beyond the chair and there is no second opinion about it. A successful treatment with expected results also depends much on how correctly an orthodontic appliance is used and taken care of every single day. Especially with children and young teens as orthodontic patients it is important to give them. Thorough consultation right at the beginning of the treatment to make them understand how important it is to make the right usage and take proper care of orthodontic appliances. At the same time, they should also be taught how to take the right care of both their oral health and appliances to ensure desired results at the end of the treatment.
Taking proper care of your orthodontic appliance is crucial
Any appliance that is used in orthodontic dentistry is meant to be strong and durable. And this includes braces, retainers and any other appliance that you may imagine. But still these items can be damaged if you do not treat with proper care and caution. That is why as a crucial part of orthodontic aftercare it is important to encourage children (and even early teenagers) to stick to the care instructions provided by their dentists or orthodontists.
- Conventional fixed braces
In case the traditional metal brace or transparent ceramic braces. That you use get damaged then that damage has to be repaired. Repairing could take time and that could stretch the overall length of your treatment.
Suppose a wire in your brace becomes loose and this is likely to irritate the soft tissues in your mouth. If the defect is left ignored and allowed to linger. Then that may even lead you to develop ulcer in the mouth. Therefore, if you even experience this kind of problem with your orthodontic appliance you should move the loose wire under the arch wire and apply a generous amount of dental wax to the scratched area of your mouth. This is actually a stopgap solution to prevent further discomfort. In order to find a permanent solution to this issue easily. You may consider booking an appointment with your dentist or orthodontist as soon as possible.
Dealing with removable orthodontic appliances
If you are on any removable orthodontic appliance – Invisalign clear aligners for example – always make sure to keep the appliance in its case or container when you are not using it. When you put it in its case the habit serves a handful of purposes all to your advantage.
- It keeps the appliance safe in the first place free from any kind of accidental damage
- The case provides a hygienic environment to your appliance which is good for your treatment as well as your oral health
- Lastly encasing the appliance prevents it from getting lost
It is important to note that you are only supposed to remove this type of orthodontic appliance from your teeth under the following circumstances –
- While having a meal or snacking
- Brushing or flossing the teeth
- Taking a swim or participating in contact sports like football, rugby and others
It is also important to clean the appliance every day and for that you should better use a toothbrush with soft bristles and cold water. There is no need using toothbrushes with hard bristles, warm or hot water and any toothpaste to carry out the cleansing activity. Each of these items may damage the appliance in one way or the other. Working efficiency of the appliance is thus likely to suffer. As standard orthodontic aftercare instructions they also tell you not to put your retainer in the dishwasher for cleaning.
Taking care of your teeth is vital
Maintaining sound oral hygiene is essential in order to keep your teeth clean and while undergoing any orthodontic procedure. It is utmost important to maintain both – sound oral hygiene and clean teeth free from harmful plaque build-ups. Dental professionals recommend orthodontic patients to brush the teeth after each meal, floss twice daily and rinsing the mouth well using an antibacterial alcohol-free fluoride mouthwash.
Also read: Wisdom Teeth Infections: What Are the Signs and Treatment Options?
While you are on braces you may have to shift to a different kind of toothbrush which reaches every nook and corner of your mouth that is difficult for any ordinary toothbrush to reach. You must be more attentive every time while brushing the area between the braces and the gums. This is the zone where food particles get trapped and lead to harmful plaque build-ups. Plaques when left untreated and are not properly removed every day lead to nasty oral health issues like cavities or decay in the tooth, gum disease and others.
Apart from brushing flossing also proves effective in removing trapped food particles. Between the teeth as well as around the wires of your braces. Every time while brushing or flossing you must remove your retainer from your teeth.
Importance of a healthy and balanced diet
Here is an important tip on your dental braces after care. You should stay away from certain foods and drinks. That are likely to damage your appliance and also raise your risk of oral health issues. The following types of foods are known to get stuck in the orthodontic appliances pretty easily causing damage and so you must avoid these items carefully.
- Sticky foods like candy, caramel, peanut butter
- Hard foods like ribs, certain nuts, hard sweets and others
- Chewy foods like bagels
- Crunchy foods like apple, raw carrot, crisps, popcorn and others
It is important to get rid of certain nasty habits that can damage both the teeth but your orthodontic appliances. These habits include –
- Biting on fingernails
- Chewing on pen caps or pencil tips and
- Chewing on ice cubes, etc
It is also necessary to stop using your teeth as a tool at the same time.
At the same time you should also stay away from foods and drinks that are high in sugar content. The examples include cola drinks, packaged fruit juices and others. This kind of foods and drinks facilitates harmful plaque build-ups in the mouth; thus result harmful bacteria thrive in your mouth. Thus, you become prone to oral health issues like tooth decay, gum disease and others. And that can delay your orthodontic treatment more than anything else.
Importance of seeing your dentist or orthodontist at regular intervals
As a crucial part of your braces aftercare you must keep seeing your dentist or orthodontist at regular intervals. These visits enable the expert monitor the progress of your treatment. In addition to that even routine dental checkups are also important throughout the phase of any orthodontic treatment at1A Orthodontics London.
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