Braces are a common sight among teenagers, helping to straighten teeth and create beautiful smiles. But with braces comes the responsibility of proper care and maintenance. Teens need to know how to take care of their braces to ensure the best results and avoid any potential problems along the way. From avoiding certain foods to brushing and flossing regularly, there are several key things that teens need to keep in mind when it comes to caring for their braces.
1. Avoid Hard Foods
Consuming hard foods like candy, popcorn, or ice can potentially damage the brackets and wires. Biting into a caramel apple might seem harmless, but the sticky caramel and hard apple can loosen brackets, leading to unnecessary orthodontic repair appointments. Instead, opt for softer foods, like mashed potatoes, bananas, breads, and eggs.
2. Brush Properly
Food particles can easily get trapped behind brackets and wires. To avoid food becoming lodged in your brackets after every meal, brush behind each bracket using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Braces for teens and adults require extra care for the best results. Brushing should take at least two minutes, confirming every part of the teeth and braces is clean.
3. Floss Regularly
Flossing might seem challenging at first due to the brackets and wires, but it’s significant for removing food particles and plaque from places where a toothbrush can’t reach. Special orthodontic tools like floss threaders can make this task easier. They help get the floss under the wires of your braces. Regular flossing confirms these particles are removed, preventing potential problems like gum disease and cavities. Using waxed floss can be beneficial as it is less likely to shred or get stuck in the braces. Carefully thread your floss through each bracket to gently remove any excess food stuck between your teeth.
4. Listen to Your Orthodontist
Your orthodontist provides specific instructions based on your individual needs, especially for teens with braces. If your orthodontist has asked you to wear rubber bands along with your braces to correct your bite, not wearing them as instructed could prolong your treatment. Follow their advice about wearing retainers, using special cleaning tools, or managing your braces. They’re the experts in confirming your teeth shift correctly and safely during your teenage years.
5. Learn About Potential Consequences
Neglecting to take proper care of braces can lead to potential consequences that can affect oral health and the effectiveness of the orthodontic treatment. Bad breath can occur when food gets trapped in the braces, leading to tartar and plaque build-up. Skipping regular check-up appointments with the orthodontist can lead to prolonged treatment time and increased risk of orthodontic emergencies. If a wire breaks and isn’t fixed promptly, it could potentially injure the inside of your mouth.
Seek Quality Services To Provide Braces for Teens
Dental braces for teens can help correct malocclusions, such as overbite or underbite, significantly improving oral functionality and overall oral health. They can help prevent long-term health issues such as jaw pain, tooth decay, and gum disease by aligning teeth properly. This can make them easier to clean and care for. When choosing an orthodontist, look for someone who understands your individual needs. The dental clinic should use modern technology and have staff members who value patient care and stay updated with the latest practices.
FAQs
It’s recommended to brush your teeth after every meal or at least twice a day when you have braces. This helps remove food particles and prevents plaque buildup around the brackets and wires.
Yes, you can still play sports with braces. However, it’s important to wear a mouthguard to protect your braces and teeth from potential injury.
If a bracket or wire comes loose, contact your orthodontist as soon as possible to schedule a repair appointment. In the meantime, you can use orthodontic wax to cover any sharp edges that may irritate your mouth.
The length of time you need to wear your retainer varies depending on your individual case. Your orthodontist will provide specific instructions, but it’s common to wear a retainer full-time for several months after getting braces off, and then transition to wearing it only at night.
While there are some food restrictions with braces, there are still plenty of foods you can enjoy. Soft foods like pasta, rice, cooked vegetables, and yogurt are all braces-friendly. You can also cut harder foods like apples and carrots into smaller pieces to make them easier to eat.
Final Lines
Taking care of braces is essential for teens to achieve the best results and maintain good oral health. By following these five tips – avoiding hard foods, brushing properly, flossing regularly, listening to your orthodontist, and understanding potential consequences – teens can ensure that their braces are working effectively and efficiently. Remember, investing time and effort into caring for your braces now will pay off in the long run with a beautiful, healthy smile that you can be proud of.