Braces are one of the most effective orthodontic treatments available and can be the ideal option for many people, but they do have some small impacts on your lifestyle while you’re wearing them. Even though these changes are very reasonable and manageable, it’s worth being aware of them when considering your treatment options.
Brushing and Flossing
Whilst brushing and flossing should always be cornerstones in your dental hygiene routine, you’ll almost certainly need to step up the frequency while you’re wearing braces.
Your orthodontist in South Surrey will give you specific guidance about how and when you need to brush, but typically you’ll need to brush for at least two minutes after each meal or snack. This generally equates to around four times each day, and you’ll need to clean between your teeth with floss or interdental brushes at least once per day too.
Dietary Changes
You’ll still be able to eat the majority of foods during treatment, but some will unfortunately be off-limits for a time. This includes sticky foods that will be hard to remove from the braces, though some of these may be fine in moderation providing the braces are cleaned well afterwards, as well as chewing gum.
Hard foods that could damage the braces will need to be cut up into smaller pieces first and, if this isn’t possible, they will have to be avoided during treatment as well. If you’re uncertain about whether a specific food is okay to eat while wearing braces it’s best to be cautious and check with your orthodontist.
You’ll also want to minimize your consumption of sugary and acidic drinks such as soda, energy drinks, and fruit juice to protect your teeth during treatment.
Dental Checkups and Orthodontic Appointments
As well as regular appointments with your orthodontist to monitor your progress and adjust your braces as necessary, you should continue seeing your general dentist. They will monitor the overall health of your teeth and can provide professional cleanings as needed.
Dealing With Loose, Broken, or Damaged Braces
In the unlikely event that your braces become loose, broken, or damaged, or you’re experiencing any other issues with them, you should speak to your orthodontist as soon as possible. This will allow them to assess the problem and make any necessary adjustments, protecting your mouth and preventing issues with your braces from derailing your progress.
How Long Do These Changes Last?
You’ll need to maintain these lifestyle changes for as long as you’re wearing your braces. In most cases, this means somewhere between twelve months to two and a half years, but the exact amount of time will depend on your individual treatment plan. Your orthodontist will be able to provide you with a more precise and reliable estimate of how long your treatment will last based on the issues that you’re aiming to address.
Ensuring that you keep up with your appointments, maintaining good oral hygiene, and avoiding hard and sticky foods will greatly reduce the chances that anything will happen to hold up your treatment or compromise your results.
How to Find Out More
If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of braces (even as an adult!), whether they could work for you, or have any other questions, Dream Orthodontics are here to help. Contact us to find out more information or to arrange a consultation.