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Learning how to take care of braces will make your life so much easier as you try to straighten your teeth. Whether you opt for ceramic or lingual braces, looking after them is about getting into a routine and practicing good dental hygiene.
If you don't look after your braces, they may not have the desired impact, and you may even experience pain or discomfort as they straighten your teeth.
In this article, we cover all bases when it comes to looking after braces. We introduce general maintenance tips, diet tips, and then brace aftercare tips that you can use to keep your braces in tip-top shape.
Maintenance: How to properly take care of braces?
Learning how to take care of braces at home is extremely important. After all, you need to know how to maintain your braces to ensure they do their job. Here are some crucial braces maintenance tips to bear in mind:
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Practice excellent dental hygiene. You need to brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day. The Laifen Wave is the ideal electric toothbrush for braces, as it vibrates and oscillates simultaneously, keeping your teeth clean and protecting your braces.
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Know when to contact your orthodontist. From time to time, you might notice a snapped wire or an unattached bracket. If this happens, contact your orthodontist right away to fix the issue.
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Protect your mouth and teeth when playing sports and doing specific activities. Wearing a mouthguard is the best way to protect your teeth if you play a contact sport like soccer or football. For kids, knowing how to take care of braces at school while playing sports is key.
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If you have removable braces, understanding how to take care of Invisalign braces is slightly different from how to take care of ceramic braces. We recommend removing your Invisalign braces before meals to prevent food from getting stuck. When you remove them, you can thoroughly disinfect your braces to keep them clean and healthy.
Diet: How to take care of teeth with braces?
What you eat will make a big difference to your braces. With that in mind, you need to think carefully about your diet to protect your teeth and keep your braces in good shape. Here are some things to think about:
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Be wary of hard foods when you have braces. They can potentially break and dislodge your braces, particularly if you have them in excess. Avoid popcorn, nuts, hard pretzels, ice cubes, and other hard items that can potentially do more harm than good. See the foods you can and cannot eat with braces.
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If you eat meat, it's best to tenderize it. Eating tough meat can cause issues for your braces, and the meat can get stuck in your teeth. Look for tender cuts like breast meat and consider marinating it to soften it before serving.
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Stick to soft foods wherever possible, as it will help you manage and maintain your braces. The likes of mashed potatoes, pasta, soup, bread, and eggs are all great options with braces. Also, rather than eating raw fruits and veggies as they come, consider blending them into a nutritious smoothie.
Aftercare: How to take care of teeth after removing braces?
Congratulations! It's finally time to have your braces removed. You now need to put together a new dental routine to look after your straightened teeth. Here are some of the things you need to consider:
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Soon after your orthodontist has removed your braces, we recommend visiting your dentist for a full examination. You can also ask your dentist to thoroughly clean your teeth to help them sparkle. If you have the budget available, you may even consider professional teeth whitening.
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Where your retainer as instructed by the orthodontist. Your retainer keeps your teeth properly aligned after the braces have been removed, so knowing how to take care of retainers after braces is also crucial. Wear your retainer every night, clean it regularly, and visit your orthodontist if you think there's an issue.
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Maintain excellent oral hygiene. Now that you've straightened your teeth, you need to look after them! Brush 2-3 times per day, floss at least once a day, and use an antibacterial mouthwash. You should also schedule regular check-ups with your dentist, so plan a visit at least once or twice a year.
When to see an orthodontist?
Your orthodontist will advise you on how often to come back for check-ups, and you should stick to this timeframe. However, if you notice any damage or if your brace wires snap, you need to contact your orthodontist right away to get them fixed.
Equally, if your braces are causing you significant discomfort or affecting your ability to speak or eat, you should contact your orthodontist to check they have been configured correctly.
The verdict
Looking after your braces is the best way to ensure they do the job they're designed to do. If you neglect your braces, they may not straighten your teeth as desired. What's more, neglect can lead to infection and potentially to other dental issues, such as tooth decay and cavities.
Thankfully, taking care of your braces is all about common sense. Take note of our simple tips listed above and put together a daily routine that will help you care for your braces. You should also regularly check in with your orthodontist and raise any issues with them as soon as they arise.
