Tips To Follow When You Get Braces

Posted on: 19 November 2015

If you are going to be having braces put on, then you should familiarize yourself with the different things you can do to get used to them quickly. If you aren't prepared for them then they can be quite uncomfortable and they can even cause cuts and sores to develop in your mouth. This article will give you simple-to-follow tips that will help you remain comfortable while wearing your new braces.

Use dental wax as often as necessary

When you get braces, the dental office will send you home with some dental wax. Take a small amount of the wax between your fingers and roll it into a ball. Push it gently onto any parts of the braces you feel rubbing against the inside of your mouth or your tongue in an irritating manner. This will help to prevent the development of cuts and sores. You may want to purchase more of this wax from a pharmacy before you run out so you always have it on hand.

Don't eat sticky foods

Sticky foods will stay on your braces for a long time and be hard to get off. This will leave that sticky substance next to your teeth where it can cause plaque build-up and possibly lead to cavities. Also, other foods you eat will get caught on the sticky substance and cause more problems.

Don't eat hard foods

When you eat hard foods you run the risk of breaking the wires in your braces. If this happens, you should get right in to have them repaired. Otherwise, it can affect the amount of time you have to spend in your braces to get the desired effect, and it can cause other problems such as irritation to your mouth.

Don't chew on your fingernails

Chewing your fingernails is a nasty habit that can lead to germs being scraped onto your teeth. However, when you wear braces it can cause other problems. It can cause the wires in your braces to bend and cause broken brackets.

Brush and floss after each meal

Brush and floss after every meal when you have braces on. Otherwise, food will get stuck in the braces and increase your chances of cavities. The leftover food that's not removed can also give you bad breath.

The advice in this article will help you have a better experience when you are wearing braces and you won't have to go in for as many repairs.

To learn more, contact a dentist like Timothy D Calkins DDS.

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