Considering getting braces? If so, it’s vital to avoid common mistakes to ensure the best results. From practicing proper brushing and flossing techniques to maintaining a nutritious diet, there are many dental care habits you must follow for optimal oral health.
In this article, we will explore some of the most common braces mistakes in detail. Read on and learn how to ensure a successful treatment from the beginning!
Not Visiting Your Orthodontist Regularly
Regular visits to your orthodontist are essential for the success of your treatment, especially if you are a new user. Your orthodontist prescribes and tailors braces to meet individual patient needs. It is important to periodically check in with your orthodontist as they may need to adjust your braces or take x-rays to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment. In addition, during visits, orthodontists can provide advice on how to make wearing braces easier and more comfortable.
Some common issues that can arise if you don’t visit your orthodontist regularly include but are not limited to:
- sharp edges that irritate oral tissue
- wires popping loose or out of their proper placement
- decalcification (white spots) caused by inadequate brushing
- bands loosening due to lack of proper tightening at regular office visits
- enamel erosion resulting from poor oral hygiene techniques
To ensure successful treatment and reduce these potential issues it is important that patients attend regular office visits every 6 weeks. During these appointments, they should not only receive adjustments but also get tips on how they can properly care for their braces between appointments.
Not Following Your Orthodontist’s Recommendations
For the best possible outcome when undergoing treatment, it’s important to follow your orthodontist’s recommendations for using braces. There are several common mistakes new brace users make:
- Not wearing rubber bands as instructed: Rubber bands play an important role in the process of aligning your teeth properly and should be worn as instructed. For best results, you should wear them throughout the day with minimal stretching or loosening.
- Playing around with your braces: Poking, picking, or playing around with your braces can cause breakage to brackets and the wires connected to them; this will prolong treatment time and cause unnecessary discomfort.
- Ignoring oral hygiene instructions: Brushing and flossing after meals is an essential part of proper oral hygiene when wearing braces; without it, plaque can accumulate on teeth quickly leading to permanent discoloration or other issues after treatment has ended.
- Delaying repair visits for broken parts: If wires or brackets become loose or damaged, an immediate appointment should be made in order to maintain alignment progress. Waiting too long may result in further damage that could require more extensive treatments such as tooth extractions or additional realigning sessions.
Biting Hard Objects Using Your Orthodontics Braces
Biting hard objects with your orthodontic braces can be incredibly damaging and set your treatment back significantly. Hard foods like popcorn, peanuts, and even inedible things like pencils or pens should be avoided at all costs. It is also important to remember that biting with braces can cause breakage to the braces themselves, which could affect the outcome of your treatment. Being mindful of what you let enter your mouth is essential for a successful orthodontic experience.
This may seem obvious, but biting down on hard items causes wires to bend or break and brackets to shift out of place, ultimately compromising the progress of your treatment process. Breakages result in more visits to the orthodontist’s office and additional costs that could have been avoided if only those hard items were removed from your diet in the first place. Sucking on popsicles and other sugary treats can cause further damage as sugary particles build up around the hardware, increasing the likelihood of cavities during orthodontic treatment.
It is important to keep these risks in mind when using braces as they directly reflect how frequently you will need adjustments throughout your treatment process. It is best practice to stick with softer food options while wearing braces and minimize any risk of breakage due to excessive use of teeth when biting items like apples or carrots that require a firm bite to consume properly.
Not Brushing Your Braces
Brushing and flossing your teeth are essential activities for any healthy dental hygiene routine no matter if you have braces or not. However, when you have braces, brushing becomes even more important. Food and plaque may become stuck in and around the braces which can lead to dental problems if left unchecked. It’s important to pay extra care when brushing around your brackets for the best results.
To effectively brush around your braces, hold the brush at a 45-degree angle in relation to the teeth and braces. Then gently move the brush back and forth in a warm scrubbing motion on all areas including around brackets and wires. Once complete, use interdental brushes or floss threaders (sold near the dental floss) to carefully scrape out food debris using very small circular motions while avoiding any contact with the wires or brackets of your braces – especially during stickier foods like peanut butter or candy, which tend to stick more than other types of food debris. Lastly, be sure to rinse with water.
Working With a Dentist
Working with a dentist who specializes in braces treatment is an important part of the braces process. Your dentist can provide specialized care while monitoring your progress throughout the treatment period. Choosing an orthodontic specialist who has the experience and adequate training can ensure that you have a successful outcome, and prevents unnecessary complications from occurring.
Before selecting a dentist for treatment, it’s important to do research and ask questions about the dentist’s level of expertise, treatment options available, and cost of care. Interviewing several orthodontists can also help you feel more comfortable about your decision, as well as learn vital information about their skills and experience.
The trust factor between patient and provider is key when altering the appearance of your teeth since adjustments are made at regular intervals over time. Additionally, your oral health needs should always be assessed prior to commencing treatment, so it’s best to opt for an orthodontist who is familiar with both preventative dentistry and restorative procedures such as cleanings, crowns, or dental implants. Oral hygiene maintenance is vital with braces since food particles can easily build up in areas that are difficult to reach when brushing or flossing on your own.
Going With the Cheapest Options
When it comes to braces, the cost of the treatment can come as a shock. Many patients try to find ways to save money and end up looking for the most inexpensive option. However, selecting an option based on cost alone is rarely a wise decision.
Cheaper braces may not offer the same quality or comfort you would get with a more expensive option. You also run the risk of choosing a Clinician who is not certified and may not have experience with your particular type of braces. Additionally, cheaper options often come with extras such as colored brackets and other features that you may be charged extra for by using a more expensive Clinic and will often be included in their standard packages.
Although budgeting for your braces can be difficult, it is important to consider quality over price when making this decision. Quality products are essential for longer-lasting results that provide comfortable wear throughout your treatment process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common mistakes to avoid when wearing braces?
Some common mistakes to avoid when wearing braces include eating hard and sticky foods, not brushing and flossing regularly, not wearing an orthodontic retainer, and not attending regular orthodontic appointments.
How can I ensure I am properly cleaning my braces and teeth?
It’s important to brush and floss regularly when wearing braces. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and an orthodontic toothbrush with a small head to reach the brackets and wires. You can also use fluoride mouthwash to reduce the risk of cavities.
How often do I need to attend appointments while wearing braces?
It’s important to attend regular orthodontic appointments while wearing braces. Typically, your orthodontist will recommend that you attend appointments every four to eight weeks for adjustments and to check the progress of your treatment.
Conclusion
Taking care of braces is extremely important. New users should pay attention to their oral health, maintain proper hygiene, and get regular checkups to ensure the best outcomes. In addition, they should carry out the instructions given by their orthodontist to prevent any complications and make sure that the braces are working at an optimum level.
It is also important to make healthier lifestyle choices such as:
- Avoiding sweets and sticky foods
- Quitting smoking
- Choosing tooth-friendly snacks that do not contain too much sugar
By following these pointers, new users will be able to achieve a healthy and beautiful smile in no time.
