Life With Braces

The Basics

So, you have chosen to wear braces, and now you want to know what life outside your orthodontist’s office will be like. As you may already know, traditional braces are brackets that bond to each tooth, with wires and bands to connect and anchor them.

Types of braces include traditional metal, ceramic, and self-ligating.

Regardless of type, they gradually shift teeth into the correct alignment to fix dental problems such as overcrowding, gaps between teeth, overbite, underbite, crossbite, and crookedness.

However, unlike patients who use removable clear aligners, those who wear braces must do more to care for their hardware.

Life With Braces

For the next 15 to 18 months, you will wake up every day with braces in your mouth. It will be quite an adjustment for you to make, especially as you take on the responsibility of cleaning your teeth and taking care of the hardware that is slowly transforming your smile.

It won’t be easy, but wearing braces can be a positive experience if you stick to the treatment and consistently maintain your braces by cleaning and protecting them. It might seem frustrating, but having some knowledge of what to expect can help.

Oral Hygiene With Braces

The first and most important part of adjusting to life with braces is to keep them and your teeth as clean as possible. And there are several ways to clean them that may work for you.

• Use a soft toothbrush or gently use an electric toothbrush to scrub your teeth and your hardware. Try to reach every part of them as much as possible to brush away any food particles that are hiding. Be sure to especially brush softly around each bracket to avoid damaging them. You should try to brush and floss after every meal.
• Rinse your mouth thoroughly and use mouthwash with fluoride to help strengthen your tooth enamel.
• Regularly visit your dentist or orthodontist for checkups to evaluate your progress and receive special cleaning for your teeth and braces. You may have missed that one spot, but your dentist will be able to reach it and take care of it for you.
• Beware of using teeth whitening products. Since brackets cover the front of each tooth, the whitening product will only brighten the enamel around it, leaving the place under the bracket a duller shade that will be noticeable. It is best to wait until after your braces come off to whiten your teeth. Some orthodontists may even offer a complimentary whitening at the end of treatment.

Failing to clean your teeth and braces properly can result in food particles sticking to both and for the buildup of plaque that can cause cavities and tooth decay, each of which could result in setbacks in your treatment.

Dental Emergencies With Braces

Patients with braces can have dental emergencies just like someone who isn’t wearing them. The difference is that while a non-braces patient can go to their dentist, a patient with braces needs an orthodontist.

The reason why is because many emergency problems may require the removal of the braces to treat the problem properly.

For instance, cavities and tooth decay could be blocked by a bracket or wire. Cracks or breaks would also require the removal of the braces to accommodate fixes such as dental crowns and/or implants.

Other orthodontic emergencies include:

• Sores in the mouth
• Tooth tenderness
• Loose or broken hardware

Sores can develop because your mouth is not used to wearing your new hardware, which can rub on tissues. Try using orthodontic wax to alleviate the sores until they go away. If they don’t, see your orthodontist for an adjustment.

Your teeth will be tender when your treatment begins. Try swishing and rinsing with warm saltwater. If that doesn’t result in the tenderness fading away in a few days or you start feeling severe pain, see your orthodontist right away.

If your hardware becomes loose or breaks for any reason, it’s best to see the orthodontist and get your braces the repairs they need.

Other Ways To Manage Discomfort with Braces

There are also other ways to manage discomfort inside your mouth beyond rinsing with warm saltwater.

• Suck on an ice cube to reduce inflammation and numb the affected area. Be sure you don’t chew it since the hard ice can damage your hardware.
• Discomfort is also a good excuse to break out the ice cream or make a cold smoothie, both of which can alleviate pain like an ice cube. Just make sure to always brush your teeth after eating it to remove sugar particles.

In addition, always wear a mouthguard before playing sports. An unexpected hit to your mouth could cause damage.

Dietary Restrictions

You will likely hate it, but there are certain foods to avoid during your treatment.

• Apples, bagels, carrots, and other foods you have to bite into should be cut into small pieces.
• Hard and sticky candies such as Skittles and taffy can get stuck in or damage your braces.
• Popcorn, corn on the cob, and nuts are also not a good idea.

Anything else is basically fair game, but ask your orthodontist if you aren’t sure.

Waterpik For Braces

Waterpik^® is a new flossing technique for patients with braces. Instead of trying to floss under and around your hardware, Waterpik^® is basically a pressure washer for in-between your teeth.

Simply load the device with warm water and place the tip at the gumline of each tooth and press the button for a controlled pressure wash over the sink that only takes around a minute to complete.

Ask Us About Life With Braces Today!

Palo Alto Orthodontics will gladly help you get started on your journey to a new smile. Please call us today at 650-327-2310 or visit our website. Our staff is ready to answer any questions you may have and will guide you through the entire process of giving you a smile to last a lifetime.