First-time dental patients need to be prepared for orthodontic treatment. Braces are usually made of metal brackets and wires attached to the surface of teeth to fix crooked or misaligned teeth. By knowing the dietary expectations, the duration of treatment, and the oral hygiene routine to follow, one can go through the whole process informed of how to make the entire treatment successful.
Things to Know Before Getting Braces
Before getting braces, there are several things you need to be aware of. Getting an assessment of your dental health with your orthodontist is a crucial step in the process. In this consultation, your orthodontist will explain the treatment plan, the braces’ longevity, and the treatment’s duration.
Discomfort
Getting braces might not necessarily be painful, but there will be some discomfort. It can take some time to adjust to having braces in your mouth. There will be soreness and some ulcers temporarily. Painkillers can take care of the discomfort with time.
Dental Hygiene
Taking care of your oral hygiene before your appointment to get braces is vital in preventing tooth decay and the build-up of tartar. Make sure to brush and floss your teeth twice daily and to use mouthwash. This will clean up debris from your teeth, help maintain their strength, and ensure the success of the orthodontic treatment.
Things to Know After Getting Braces
Knowing what to do afterward is essential to maintain the orthodontic results. Your orthodontists will give you a set of dietary restrictions, a dental routine to follow, and a set of activities to avoid in order to maintain the stability of your results. Also, regular check-ups with your orthodontist will be necessary to monitor your treatment.
Dietary Restrictions
The choice of diet you partake in after treatment is essential. Generally, avoiding any food that will stick to your braces is recommended. Hard, sticky, and chewy food is restricted so it doesn’t damage your braces long-term. Eating small bites of food carefully is also important to avoid stressing your teeth and braces.
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To avoid damaging your braces, you have to be extra careful. Avoid any activities that can cause injury to your braces, like nail-biting, opening packages, like soda bottles, with your teeth, and chewing on pens. Also, for any strenuous exercises, wearing a mouth guard is recommended. A mouth guard absorbs any impact on your teeth, preventing injury to your mouth and damage to your braces.