Investing in braces is a commitment, and for many people the results are well worth it. To help get a good outcome, giving your teeth, gums, and braces the care they need is essential.
The reward of a radiant grin is enough to make an effort worthwhile. When you get braces treatment in Calgary, speak to your dentists about what you should eat and what to avoid if you want your smile to come out naturally.
This may seem like another thing you or your kid must remember, but it might prevent you from breaking your braces and having to wait even longer to flash your pearly whites.
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Do protect your mouth when playing sports
Wear a mouthguard whenever you play sports. Ask your dentist about a custom-fitted sports guard that works with braces. This helps protect your brackets and teeth.
Do gargle after eating
Even though brushing and flossing are cornerstones of good oral hygiene, there are times when you just can’t find the time to accomplish them. Instead, rinse your mouth out with water after eating. It’s not a perfect replacement, but it’s better than doing nothing.
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Do brush your teeth after every meal.
Regular tooth brushing is an essential component of routine health care. When you wear braces, you have to make it a part of your daily life. The wires and brackets of braces generate microscopic crevices that may collect food particles and offer a breeding ground for germs. It is more vital than ever to maintain good oral hygiene.
Removing food particles quickly helps stop plaque from harming your teeth and gums. It can also help lower the risk of tooth discoloration, tooth decay, and gum disease.
While you have braces, it is important to take extra care to clean your teeth carefully to help prevent dental issues from developing. If you wear braces, you should clean your teeth after every meal and the normal twice-daily routine. A toothbrush with soft bristles is recommended to protect the wires from being bent or broken. Your dentist or hygienist can show you how to brush around brackets.
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Do floss daily
When wearing braces, flossing is more crucial than ever. Removing food debris and germs between teeth is essential to your dental care in Calgary practice. Gently work the floss under your braces, from tooth to tooth. It is worth investing in a floss threader.
Then, gently move the floss back and forth between the teeth and the braces and between the teeth and the gums. This helps remove any last bits of food a toothbrush might not have caught.
DO NOT Eat Certain Foods
Avoid foods that are sticky or chewy; this eliminates many sweets. Avoid foods that have caramel or a gummy feel. Skip chewing gum unless your dentist says otherwise.
It’s best to keep your thin wires safe from hard candies and nuts.
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Braces are easily damaged by hard, crunchy foods like apples, carrots, and corn on the cob. A broken wire or bracket can poke your cheek or gums, so call your dentist if that happens. Foods like applesauce, steamed carrots, and kerneled corn may be suitable substitutes.
Say not to savory crunchies. Popcorn, for example, should be avoided if you’re wearing braces. You should stay away from it and other crunchy foods like chips and ice.
DO NOT Use Your Teeth for Objects
It’s perplexing that many individuals, even when wearing braces, feel the need to use their teeth as a tool. Whether you have braces or not, do not use your teeth to open bottles, rip up bags, bend cables, hold something, or perform anything other than eat.
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DO NOT Forget Your Routines
When you wear braces, you have to pay a little more attention to how you eat, drink, and talk in the case of elastic bands used to correct your bite. For instance, you may need to remove them before eating and put them back after, exactly as your dentist directs.
DO NOT Touch the Elastic Bands
Although the elastic bands in your braces might be a pain at times, they are essential to correcting the position of your teeth. Interfering with these bands, other than as your dentist instructs, may slow the realignment process, cause damage to your braces, and even cause you to bite your tongue or cheek.
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DO NOT play wind instrument immediately after getting braces
Usually, wearing braces won’t hinder your playing skills if you’re a musician who plays a wind instrument. Still, it helps to give your mouth a chance to get used to the change. Soreness is common while learning to play a wind instrument after getting new braces. Waiting a few days or weeks before starting to play may ease this, and your dentist can suggest ways to protect your lips.
Keep in mind that your tongue, lips, and teeth will be in a slightly different position when you pick up your instrument again. There may be a dip in your performance, but with work, patience, and certain adjustments, many players get back to their old level.
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Do Not Grind Your Teeth
Many people grind their teeth, also called bruxism. Stress is a common trigger, so reducing stress may help. Wearing a nightguard while you sleep is one strategy for addressing bruxism. Ask your dentist whether a custom night guard that protects your teeth and orthodontic appliances while you sleep is right for you.
Bottomline
Some problems with the teeth and mouth may be fixed with Dental braces. Feel free to reach out to our dentists in Calgary and discuss any questions regarding caring for your braces or want to schedule an appointment to have your first set of braces fitted.
If you’re concerned about your teeth and gums, we may schedule a consultation with a dentist to review your choices. They will help you understand the working mechanism of braces so you can make the right choices in your daily routine. Call your dentist if a bracket comes loose, a wire pokes your cheek, or soreness after an adjustment does not settle within a few days.
Next step: Learn about braces at The Port Dental Clinic in Calgary NE. We are open 7 days a week and accept new patients. Book online or call 403-345-1110.
