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Rules When Using Dental Braces

While some children or teens may dread having braces on, others look forward to them. After living with teeth that bother you, it's nice to think you may be on the right path to correcting the problems that you see in the mirror every day. There are some simple guidelines to follow when wearing braces. The more closely you stick to these rules, the shorter the time you will spend flashing the "tin grin."

  1. Do Not Miss Appointments

    • Always show up for your regularly scheduled appointments. Orthodontic treatment is a process that follows a plan for certain adjustments at certain intervals. Your orthodontist will tailor a time line specific to your needs. You will need rubber bands or arch wires changed on a routine basis. You might need spacers inserted. If you miss appointments and reschedule them for weeks or months later, you will only prolong the time you spend wearing your braces.

    Floss Regularly

    • Flossing has always been imperative to keep your teeth and gums healthy. It's even more important that you follow a daily routine of flossing while wearing braces. The way the brackets and wires are attached in your mouth leaves a lot of crevices for food to become stuck. Simple brushing alone will not remove that build-up. If you develop a cavity or gingivitis while wearing braces, the additional treatment will add even more expense and time.

    Brush After Eating

    • If you wear braces, you must brush your teeth after all meals and snacks. It's important when you brush to fully brush three ways: with your brush angled above your braces, below your braces and directly facing them. What is tricky about cavities is that they often form with a tiny piece of food. The more industrious your brushing, the better the health of your teeth and the shorter the time you need to spend wearing your braces.

    Avoid Certain Foods

    • While it's probably common knowledge that someone with braces cannot bite into a caramel apple, that's not the only food that is off limits. Chewy and sticky foods need to be avoided. Some examples are gummy candies, licorice, bagels and caramel. When wearing braces, people must avoid hard and crunchy foods as well. These can force the brackets to pop off, causing an emergency visit to the orthodontist's office. Stay away from apples, carrots, corn on the cob, nuts and granola. Your orthodontist may tell you it's all right to eat some of these foods if you cut them into small pieces.

    Correct Problems Quickly

    • If you don't always want to be known as "metal mouth," check with your orthodontist any time you suspect a problem. If a wire becomes loose and starts poking the inside of your cheek, let your doctor know. If you ate something crunchy and a bracket popped off, go for an emergency visit. If you recently had an arch wire changed and the pain has not decreased, call your doctor. When you suspect a problem, do your best to fix it quickly.

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