Protecting Your Braces Getting braces means that your daily habits will have to change a bit, like avoiding certain foods and brushing and flossing differently than before. In order to make the most of your braces, and your overall oral health, these steps are incredibly important to take. After all, you are undergoing treatment in order to reach your optimal oral health! Roncone Orthodontics will be here throughout the whole process to help you maintain your oral health before, during, and after your treatment, in order to make sure your treatment goes as effectively as possible.Brushing and FlossingMaintaining proper oral hygiene is always important when trying to reach optimal oral health, but since braces have parts that easily cultivate harmful bacteria called plaque, brushing and flossing becomes even more important when you have braces. Typical oral hygiene demands brushing and flossing at least two times a day, but when you have braces, you should try to at least double that amount every day. It is a good goal to try and brush every morning when you wake up, after every meal, and before bed, which is, on average, five times per day. Braces involve a lot of parts like brackets, bands, and wires that can easily catch food. When plaque builds on these areas, it can increase the risk of cavities and calcium deposits, which can both be detrimental to the enamel on your teeth. It is essential to your overall oral health that you brush and floss after every time you eat, no matter if it is a meal or a snack, because your braces are so susceptible to plaque buildup. Avoid Certain FoodsThe brackets and wires of your braces are resilient, but they cannot handle everything. Braces are not as strong as our teeth, and they have the potential to break or be damaged by certain foods that you can typically eat when you do not have braces. This means you may have to alter your eating habits slightly in order to avoid having to come into our office to fix your damaged appliance. Our professionals may give you a full list of foods to avoid when you get your braces initially placed, but generally you should stay away from any chewy, crunchy, hard, or sticky foods. For example, popcorn, corn on the cob, taffy, and apples are usually detrimental to your braces. Altering some of these foods may make them easier for you to chew with braces, like eating corn loose or cutting apples into slices. Additionally, it is important to stop unhealthy habits that may damage your braces, like chewing on pens, straws, or your nails. These habits can cause breakage to the wires or brackets of your braces, and are overall unhealthy to keep doing. Braces can be difficult to maintain, especially for those who have had trouble maintaining their oral health before getting braces. It is important to remind yourself that your braces are working their best to correct your teeth and give you a healthy smile, so you should work just as hard to do the same. If you are having trouble with maintaining these things, or have an issue with a broken appliance, you can call Roncone Orthodontics at (951) 595-8291 for help. |
Contact Information32140 Temecula Pkwy., Suite 201 Temecula, CA 92592 (951) 595-8291 info@ronconeortho.com |
