During the time, your or our child’s braces are on, it is essential to protect their mouth by following some basic guidelines for caring for the braces and teeth.
In the first few days after you or your child’s braces have been placed onto his or her teeth, the teeth may be tender or your lips, cheeks, and tongue may also become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed to the surface of the braces.
This is a normal part of the treatment process, and the discomfort will subside quickly. The good news is that this sensation is an early indication of tooth movement.
If your teeth begin feeling a little loose, do not worry. Your braces must first loosen your teeth to move them into the right position. Once your teeth have been repositioned, they will no longer be loose.
Your orthodontist at Clínica Dental Champsaur does more than just put braces on and tighten them periodically. We will teach how to care for braces and the mouths they are in.
The sooner you or your child can implement these tips to caring for braces and establish healthy habits, the healthier their teeth and mouth will be later.
Recommendations for bracket care
Braces Care Routine
The goal of having braces is to improve the overall health of the mouth and teeth, and create a beautiful, confident smile. But if you or your child are not taking care of their teeth while the braces are on, it is easy to develop stains, cavities and gum problems that can cause issues.
Brush Teeth Regularly
When it comes to brushing with braces, it is good to brush after meals for two minutes each time.
Choose fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush.
For two minutes, start at the top and, in a gentle circular motion, begin moving the toothbrush tooth by tooth. During brushing, move the brush down and up the wires to clean above and below the appliances. Then move to the lower teeth and repeat.
Clean your braces and wires thoroughly
Pay special attention to each individual bracket. Brush gently and carefully over each surface to remove any remaining food particles and plaque buildup; brush with enough pressure to make sure they are clean, but not enough to cause damage.
Dental floss and mouthwash
Since a toothbrush will not reach all the crevices and crevices between each tooth, it is also important to floss once a day.
Floss with a threader or other flossing aid to get between each tooth to remove food particles and plaque that the toothbrush may have missed.
Then rinse with mouthwash to reach stubborn areas that may need additional attention.
Oral Irrigators
Oral irrigators can be a great tool to help with the removal of stubborn food debris that the toothbrush and floss missed.
Check the Mirror
Make sure there are not any stubborn food particles that got left behind or overlooked. Also check for any areas where wires may be sticking out or out of place.
Checking the braces regularly can be helpful because they can quickly identify problems and notify your orthodontist at Clínica Dental Champsaur when something is not right. Once we have examined the top and bottom braces, we can reattach any elastic bands or removable accessories they took out before they began brushing.
Be Careful What to Eat
Certain foods and drinks can impact oral health. Your child may be frustrated by being told to be careful about eating certain foods,
Recommendations for bracket care – Food That Is Safe to Eat Wearing Braces:
• Cooked vegetables
• Soft breads
• Yogurt and milk
• Soft fruits
• Lean meats
• Tofu
• Soft nut butters, such as peanut butter
Food To Avoid When Wearing Braces:
• Popcorn
• Hard or extremely crusty bread
• Hard candy
• Crunchy chips
• Hard fruits
• Whole nuts or seeds
• Meat from a bone
Playing Sports with Braces
Playing sports while wearing braces is not a problem at all if you wear a mouthguard.
There are mouth guards that are created specifically to protect braces. They offer a little more room to fully enclose the extra space and offer optimal protection against any sort of contact.
Problems with Wearing Braces
These are come coming problems with wearing braces and you should visit our orthodontist for an adjustment.
• Wire Poking & Irritation
• Loose Wire on Back Teeth
• Spacer Fell Out
• Loose Bracket
• Bracket cementation or appliance breaks
If a piece of your brace’s breaks, save the piece and call our office to schedule a repair visit. Please bring it to your appointment. Your braces have a specific prescription for your teeth and thus, if possible, your own brace should be replaced as soon as possible.
Remain calm if you swallow a piece of your appliance. This will usually go into the stomach, passing out of the body in a bowel movement.
For more Recommendations for bracket care, consult your orthodontist in your consultation at the Champsaur Dental Clinic