Regardless of the cosmetic variations of braces, they all work on the same principle, which is applying progressive tension to the periodontal ligaments that anchor the teeth in their sockets. Through the course of routine adjustment sessions, this progressive tension alters the alignment and orientation of the teeth.
Maintaining a healthy mouth and preventing damage to your braces will keep the duration of the alignment process to a bare minimum.
Chewing gum and eating sticky foods are two of the most common causes of damaged braces. These foods have the ability to bend wires, loosen brackets or even dislodge a spacer. You should also be careful when chewing hard foods, ice and hard candies because they could also bend wires and damage bands. This also extends to bad habits like chewing on hard objects, like pencils, pens and ice.
If some part of your braces is damaged and there is sharp point irritating your cheek or gums, you can cover the problem area with the special orthodontic wax you were given when the braces were installed. If you don’t have the wax readily on hand, you can use a pencil eraser in a pinch.
Brushing and flossing twice a day is critical for removing plaque and residual food particles. If you’re having difficulty cleaning around the braces or flossing the spaces between your teeth, you might want to try using interdental brushes or a floss threader with waxed dental floss.
If you have questions about the best way to maintain your braces and good oral health, you can always call Uinta Orthodontics at (307) 789-8742 to seek further advice from your orthodontist, Dr. John R. Schouten. We are happy to give you the tips you need to have a good experience with braces in Evanston, Wyoming.
