209-575-5888When you are first fitted for braces it takes a little bit of getting used to. With a few minor changes in your daily habits you can keep your braces and teeth clean, while reducing the chances of your braces being damaged. If something is damaged they can injure your mouth and will also likely increase how long you have to wear them.
Eating sticky foods and chewing gum is one of the most common causes of damage to braces. These items can get stuck in and around the braces, potentially bending wires, loosening brackets or removing spacers. At the same time, it’s also a good idea to try to avoid eating crunchy foods and hard candy. You will also need to curb any bad habits like chewing on hard objects, pencils, pens and ice.
If you do have something break or come loose, you can secure it inside a piece of orthodontic wax to keep it from injuring your mouth. Then call us immediately to schedule an appointment to repair it.
If you are an athlete, you should talk to your dentist or orthodontist about being fitted for a custom mouth guard. This will help protect you teeth and braces from the potential dangers of contact sports.
It’s important to maintain your daily oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing twice a day. A water jet or interdental brushes can also help you clean food particles and plaque from some of the hard to reach places.
If you have questions or you are due for your next adjustment, please feel free to call us at 209-575-5888 to schedule your next appointment.