The period where you have to wear your braces all the time until treatment is completed can be a nerve-racking experience. It may be hard to keep track of things you have to do and things you should stay away from. What we know is that getting orthodontic treatment using braces or aligners should not be a horrible experience. On that note, we bring to you 20 tips to make your orthodontic treatment at St. Albans or anywhere else a comfortable one.
- Do not lose focus
You must remember at all times the reason why you are getting the orthodontic treatment. Think about what your teeth and smile will look like when the treatment has been completed. Thinking about this will keep you going until treatment is completed.
- You will get used to the feeling in no time
Wearing braces for the first time may feel weird and uncomfortable. You might end up with a mouth full of more saliva than normal or even a slight problem with speech. Fortunately, this should all disappear after a day or two.
- Wearing braces does not hurt
Once you get used to the braces or aligner in your mouth, you will discover that it is not so bad on its own. However, you might feel slight discomfort after seeing your dentist for adjustments or after getting a new set of aligners if you are using Invisalign. However, you can keep the discomfort under control by drinking ice water to numb the pain or taking pain relievers. Be sure to check with your doctor before you take any medication.
- You may experience some irritation
At the beginning phase of your treatment using braces, you will likely get irritations on your lips and inside your cheeks. This is as a result of the bracket and the wires. Your mouth will eventually toughen up, but before it happens, you should swish around a mixture of salt and warm water. It would provide some relief to the irritation.
- You can fix a loose wire or bracket
When a bracket or wire comes loose, you will notice because it will start poking you inside the mouth. When this happens, you can either push the bracket back into its place or push the wire out of the way. Also, you can cut off the wire that is hanging loose and call it in as soon as possible.
- You will probably get an electric toothbrush
We know how difficult it can be to brush with a mouth full of braces. To ease the pain or discomfort, you may be provided with an electric toothbrush and non-whitening toothpaste. This will help to make your daily brushing easier and better.
- Brushing is not all hard
With all the extra care and attention you need to pay to your teeth when brushing, it will be a whole lot easier with the use of a proxy brush. This brush gets into areas that are hard to reach as a result of the brackets and wires.
- You must floss daily
Flossing daily, preferably at night, is something you must not forget any day. You can use dental floss, or you can use an orthodontic flosser. If these do not work, make things easier with a water pick.
- Use a fluoride mouthwash regularly
Mouthwash should be integrated into your daily oral routine. You can swirl it around your mouth for about a minute. This can be done twice daily to get rid of bacteria and germs.
- Always carry around a braces care kit
A braces care kit should contain floss, a dental wax, a travel toothbrush, a proxy brush, and toothpaste. This helps you to keep up with your dental hygiene even when you are on the move. If you happen to leave it behind, always rinse out your mouth thoroughly with water after eating.
- Stick to the rules
When you start wearing braces, there are a lot of things you will have to put away. These include not eating hard or sticky foods, not biting into crunchy foods, and cutting them up in small pieces instead. Sweet foods and candies will also have to wait until the treatment has been completed.
- Always carry the aligner case with you
If you are wearing aligners, you always have to take them out before eating. Always make sure you carry the case along with you to temporarily store the aligners when eating.
- Do not use whitening products
When wearing braces, you should stay away from any teeth whitening product, from whitening toothpaste to strips. This is because the braces cover parts of your teeth, and if whitening products are used, it will lead to an uneven coloration of the teeth. If you must use whitening products, do so after treatment.
- Always have a mirror handy
You can either download one or carry a small mirror around in your bag. This is to help you check your braces after eating to see any particles are left in your teeth.
- Visit your dentist regularly
You should see your dentist every three months for checkups and deep cleaning. They will look out for cavities and decay during orthodontic treatment. If there are any such problems, they will see to its rectification so that it does not affect your treatment.
- Toast your bread slightly before eating it
Bread is most likely to get stuck in between the braces after eating. To avoid this, you might have to toast your bread lightly to keep it a bit strong instead of soft.
- Your teeth may feel loose sometimes
One thing to know is that it is perfectly normal for your teeth to feel loose sometimes during orthodontic treatment. It means that the treatment is actually working, and teeth are being moved from their initial positions.
- Mouthguards are a must-have
If you are the active type or you are sports inclined, you must wear mouthguards at all times if you are undergoing orthodontic treatment using braces or aligners. Because the teeth are loose and moving from their current position, it will be easier for them to get knocked out. To protect your teeth with mouthguards at all times.
- Smile always
This is not the time to feel self-conscious about your smile. With clear aligners or clear braces, people may not even be able to tell you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. Smile at all times.
- Continue with retainers after treatment
The only way to ensure that your teeth remain the way it is after treatment is by wearing retainers. How often you will have to wear it will be made known to you when the retainers are made available. You would not want to lose out on all the hard work you have put in to achieve that smile.
Going for orthodontic treatment to correct your smile is one decision you will not regret. You can contact our St. Albans orthodontist for information on how to get started. If you want aligners or braces at St. Albans, be sure to reach out to us.
