I have always envied those around me who seem to always have perfect smiles without even trying, because I feel like I was born with "bad teeth." While my teeth are in great shape now, it is only because I take great care to visit the dentist every six months for a check-up and cleaning and maintain good oral hygiene habits at home. While I used to get a lot of cavities, even though I thought I was doing "everything right" to keep them away, I am proud to say that I have been cavity-free for a couple of years now! I put a lot of research into what daily habits can wreak havoc on my teeth, and I thought it would be a shame not to share what has helped me with others who need the advice. I plan to post many oral health tips on my new blog!
Braces can move your teeth into alignment and can correct your bite over time. The amount of time that someone wears their braces depends on the placement of their teeth, their bite, and how well they care for their braces. The third reason is really the only one that you have any control over; so it is crucial that you take good care of your braces. This article will discuss specific tips to help you stay on track with your braces, so that you can get them off as soon as possible.
Report Broken Brackets and Wires Immediately
It is common for your brackets to break off every now and then, and when this happens, it should be reported immediately. The longer you wait to report this broken bracket, the more time you will add onto the overall time that you need to wear your braces. With a broken bracket, your teeth are free to move out of alignment, causing the orthodontist to have to readjust them.
Also, if you have a broken wire, you need to make sure to get this fixed right away as well. If your wire is broken, it is not moving your teeth as it should, and is instead leaving your teeth exactly where they are, or worse, it is spacing them out. You will also want to get the wire replaced right away, because the broken wire may poke your gums, causing both pain and irritation, as well as potential infection.
Brush and Floss Regularly
Brushing and flossing is much harder with braces due to the brackets and wires, so some people may feel less inclined to brush and floss as much as they should. However, neglecting your teeth when you have braces on, can cause a lot of oral problems. You will be more likely to get cavities, and if your teeth get bad enough, you may need to have one or more teeth pulled. This will require your dentist to remove your wires, and repair or remove the tooth. Your teeth will then need to be realigned (if you have a tooth pulled). Brushing and flossing twice a day can help you to stay on track with your dental hygiene.
Don't Miss Appointments
One easy way to stay on track with your braces is to make sure that you go to all of your appointments. Missing an appointment entirely will set you back because the orthodontist will not be able to look over your teeth and make necessary changes. He will not be able to tighten your wires to help move your teeth further, or assign you to wear rubber bands or other corrective devices. These appointments are spaced at specific intervals for a reason, and allow you to move forward with straightening your teeth and correcting your bite.
Share12 November 2014
