4 Tips for getting along with your braces.
Over the next months or years, you and your braces are going to be spending a lot of time together, so it’s important to start this relationship off on the right foot. The following 4 steps will help improve this relationship.
- Avoid hard or sticky foods. While these types of foods are a favorite of most, hard foods like nuts, raw vegetables, fruits and candies can damage orthodontic appliances or break brackets and wires. (For more info on what foods to avoid while in orthodontic treatment see our “Braces Friendly Foods” page).
- If you’re like me, you can’t wait to wake up each morning and floss. Okay, maybe not but, flossing is a very important part of your overall oral health care. While in orthodontic treatment, it is extremely important to keep your teeth clean. This includes flossing. We will go over different methods of flossing with orthodontic appliances at your first visit. (For more information on how to keep your teeth and braces clean see our “Oral Hygiene” page).
- Wearing rubber bands may seem annoying but they are an important part of your orthodontic treatment. Forgetting to wear them can extend the time in braces.
- Chew with your back teeth. When eating raw fruits and vegetables, cut them into small pieces and chew with your back teeth. This will limit the chances of breaking a bracket, wire or damaging your orthodontic appliances.
Following these 4 simple steps for getting along with your braces will help you to get your braces off sooner rather than later.
Author,
Jake C.
Patient Advocate.