Dental Brace Guide

Don’t be afraid to ask your orthodontist if you have some questions in mind. To be honest, they do really appreciate if their clients are asking them.

Here are some questions that orthodontist usually anticipates you ask:

What is the cause of your current dental condition?
What is the best possible treatment for the dental problem?
What are the healing methods that you have to go through after the treatment?
What can you do to control the condition in the future and the problem never to occur again?

Finding the answers to the questions above from an orthodontist can make you enlightened.

Brush, using a special toothbrush, in between wires and gums to release any food particles that may have stuck in your dental braces.
Position bristles at 45 degree angle toward the gum and begin with the outside surface of your upper teeth. Brush in a circular motion two to three teeth at a time. Follow the same procedure for the inner surfaces.
Repeat the process for the lower. Rinse and check to see if all particles have been removed.
Floss in between braces daily.
You can use toothpicks and other similar devices for cleaning under brackets.
See your dentist at regular intervals for thorough cleaning of your dental appliance.

We have several ways that orthodontics can be used to help improve the way that a patient’s teeth align. When our parents were teenagers, it used to be that metal, obvious and often painful braces were the only solution to this type of problem.

Today, the products are much more easier to use. The braces are less difficult to care for and they are better looking. Some brace products such as Invisalign, are able to go unnoticed, too. Another thing, many people of all ages can get this type of help from kids to teens to adult. This means that you can take care of the overbite that you have.. It’s never too late!

Wearing braces do not limit your ability to eat. It is possible to eat almost anything but some foods amy damage your appliances and should be avoided.

Crunchy foods – this includes nuts, seeds, popcorns, hard snacks and chips, ice and frozen foods
Hard breads and finger foods – includes corn on the cob, chicken wings, chicken bones and spare ribs
Chewy foods – sticky, chewy candies, gums, soft caramels
Sugary foods – foods with high sugar contents that may cause tooth decay. If you have to eat any of them, see to it that you rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth at once.

Citrus fruits such as oranges, tangerines and grapefruits are some of the top favorite fruits of all time of different people in different parts of the world. Don’t you just love the taste of the juices that you can squeeze from it?

Here’s the bad news for citrus lovers: Citrus fruits are not braces-friendly.

I’m not talking about the eating part in here. Yes, you can eat them since these fruits but then later on, you’ll realize that the little pieces are stucked in every bracket of your braces and your lips gets dry too.

Just make sure that you rinse your mouth a lot of times and floss your teeth after eating the fruits because the little pieces are just hiding behind your brackets. Beware!

Braces Do’s
• Brush after every meal. If you can’t brush right away, rinse your mouth (and removable appliance) with water.
• Floss every day. Your orthodontist can give you a floss threader if you’re having difficulties.
• Chew only sugarless gum.
• Call your orthodontist if anything is loose or broken.
Braces Don’ts
• Don’t miss your orthodontic appointments. Missed or delayed appointments mean you’ll have to wear your braces longer.
• Don’t eat hard, sticky or chewy foods, crunchy foods.
• Don’t chew on pens, pencils, ice, fingernails or anything that might break your braces.

• Don’t forget to clean behind your back teeth.
• Don’t give mouthwash or fluoride toothpaste to young children, as they can swallow it.
• Don’t clean your tongue so hard that it hurts.
• Don’t rely on mouthwash alone too keep your teeth and gums clean and your breath fresh. Practice complete oral hygiene.
• Don’t ignore your gums – you can lose your teeth as well as have bad breath.
• Don’t drink too much coffee.
• Don’t smoke.

To prevent relapse, or the teeth moving to the original position, after the treatment with braces is completed the dentist usually recommends the use of retainers. There are different types of retainers available: the Hawley retainer, which is made of metal hooks enclosed in an acrylic plate and shaped to fit the palate; the Essix retainer, which is made of clear plastic tray and is form-fitted to the teeth and being held in place by a suction; and the bonded retainer, which is made of a wire which is permanently held in place to the inner side of the teeth near the tongue.

Heard of Occlusal Splints? These are dental appliances that can be removed. It is carefully designed to fit the upper or lower arches of the teeth. It can also be called as bite planes, bite splints or night guards.

Occlusal splints are used to protect the tooth and restoration surfaces. It also manages the disfunction of mandibular or jaw. It also makes space for further restoration procedures. . There are some people who are prone to nocturnal bruxism, or nighttime clenching. They must wear occlusal splints (or fondly called night guards) at night.

Children often use soft splints because of their unstoppable growth. Occlusal slints are composed of acrylic resin.

Braces are investments in oral health. Initially, patients experience soreness but may be relieved if they go along with the following suggestions:

1. Irritation – use of wax, cotton and gauze to cover dry, inflamed areas, until your mouth has adjusted.
2. Food – the first few days after wearing your appliances, or after adjustments are made, you will only be able to take soft foods.
3. Brushing – you should brush your teeth and massage your gums, in front of a mirror, after every meal. Check for any particles that you may have missed.
4. Breakage – do not play with any part of the appliance with your tongue. If something is broken or comes loose, see your orthodontist.