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Adjusting to Life with Braces

Orthodontist Lake Zurich

Change is harder for some than it is for others, and while all of us need time to adapt to any big changes in our lives, sometimes there are moments where keeping up with what’s new is more important than others. When it comes to your oral health, it’s always best to stay up to speed on what your dentist or orthodontist recommends. When someone has braces first placed, the adaptation to their new mouth can take some getting used to, but ensuring that you follow your doctor’s orders will be an integral part of your journey to a set of straighter teeth and a healthier mouth! Today, we’re outlining a few things you should know about your new life with traditional metal braces.

Flossing is as Important as Ever

Flossing is a vital part of your oral health that many people simply overlook, braces or no braces. Additionally, many people who have their braces fitted think that flossing is impossible with their new set of wires, but this notion is both incorrect and potentially harmful to your health! When someone wears braces, it becomes easier for bits of food and bacteria to get stuck in between the wires and their teeth, leading to a higher risk of cavities and decay as plaque forms. To keep your teeth clean and healthy, continue flossing daily by feeding a piece of floss through the wires of your braces and between your teeth. The action may be tedious at first, but with time and practice flossing with braces will become second nature.

Mind Your Munching

Certain foods do not get along well with braces, and others need to be modified to be easier to eat. Biting into hard, rough surfaces can be both difficult and damaging to braces. Foods like corn on the cob and apples should be cut up before being consumed and things like hard candies should never be directly bitten into.

Brush with Intent

Brushing your teeth with braces is similar to brushing them without, but a few small modifications need to be made. Be sure to brush at an angle from both the top and bottom of the brackets to help clear out any stuck debris and pay attention to the backs of your teeth as well. Consider investing in a small dental brush that can fit between your brackets to really clear away anything brushing has missed, and be sure to continue brushing at least twice daily. Many people with braces find that an additional brush after lunch helps keep their mouths feeling the cleanest.

Life with braces will take adjusting to, but after a short time it will be hard to remember what your oral health routine was like before your new metal brackets! While there may be a few growing pains at the beginning, your time and effort spent keeping up with your oral health will all be worth it when your new smile is unveiled.

If you are new to braces and have questions about how best to keep up your oral health regimen, or simply to schedule a routine checkup, give us a call at Manus Dental in Lake Zurich, Yorkville, or Hyde Park today!

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