What to Avoid When Wearing Braces
By Greg Greenberg | Published on March 7, 2011 | 0 Comments
The first day you get your braces, you know that you’re on your way to a smile you can flash with pride. The last thing you want to do is disturb the process. Taking full care of your braces is important if you are looking for the hassle-free route. Dallas, Texas Orthodontist Dr. Greg Greenberg discusses the proper precautions and care that must be taken to assure both your comfort and ease.
The number one no-no for anybody wearing braces is sticky, chewy candy. Gum, caramel or anything of the sort can loosen your braces and cause problems. Biting into an apple will have to wait until your braces come off.
Popcorn is another kind of snack Dr. Greenberg cautions patients to stay away from. Popcorn can easily become lodged within the braces or between the teeth, causing a lot of discomfort. Any kind of extremely hard food also has the potential to break your braces.
Maintaining the cleanliness of your braces teeth is imperative. With braces, food and plaque have a much easier means of getting stuck in your mouth. Learning how to brush and floss correctly with your braces will not only prevent cavities from forming, but will also prevent you from accidentally damaging your braces. Dr. Greenberg informs all patients on the proper way to brush and floss teeth.
Dr. Greenberg also provides patients with tips for solving problems that may arise with braces. If a bracket is feeling extra coarse or a wire is poking at the side of your mouth, you can use wax to address the problem. Until your orthodontist can see you for a better solution, simply place a piece of wax on the area causing irritation.
A loose wire can be as irritating as anything. The moment you feel any discomfort, it suddenly becomes the only thing you can focus on. Using precaution, you can take a set of tweezers to gently place the wire back into its proper place.
Sometimes, the fix-it-yourself method just isn’t an option. In that case, says Dr. Greenberg, a trip to the orthodontist’s office is necessary. Dr. Greenberg also reminds patients that soreness is natural the first couple of days after getting braces on or tightened. Your mouth may be sensitive to its first encounter with foreign objects, but over time, your cheeks, tongue and mouth will become accustomed to the braces. And before you know it, you’ll forget that you’re even wearing braces altogether.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.