Over one million Americans and Canadians wear braces every year. That’s a lot of people gearing up for winter festivities right now. Dental clients that have braces or other orthodontic apparatuses in their mouths need to be extra careful with what they eat, how they clean their mouth, and the way they treat their mouth and the device in general. We’ve gathered up some of the best tips for braces wearers to keep their orthodontic treatment on schedule and worry free.
Consider What You Bite and Chew
Crunchy, chewy, or hard foods can shift teeth and damage braces. Consider this as you enjoy holiday favorites this holiday season. Hard rolls, bagels, licorice, popcorn, caramels, gum, nuts and hard candies, as well as apples, carrots, and corn on the cob all pose a threat. There are plenty of other delicious options in holiday feasts and spreads, so consider what you can eat rather than what you can’t.
Also keep in mind your sugar intake. With wires and bands, and other parts of braces and permanent retainers, it’s easy for plaque to build-up in even more tiny, hard-to-clean places than between your teeth. Sugar is your oral bacteria’s favorite substance and the most easily converted into plaque and eventually tartar.
Extra Special Cleaning Suggestions
As mentioned above, sugar intake is a major concern this time of year. No matter when you’re wearing braces, the fact remains that all that metal offers more places that need cleaned really well. In addition to regular bi-daily brushing and daily flossing using the threader provided by your dentist or orthodontist, you might also consider a few more options. Mouthwash is a great addition to your oral care routine because it helps wash bacteria away from your braces and kills bacteria floating around your mouth.
If you suffer from inflamed gingiva, oral irrigators (Water flosser) are also a wonderful option to improve health of your gums and clean bacteria along the gum line and surrounding orthodontic devices. Interdental brushes, also sometimes provided by your dentist or orthodontist, can wiggle between braces pieces to clean out food debris and plaque. By taking the time to clean your mouth well, you won’t have so many time-consuming and/or painful cleanings as your braces are worked on.
Dealing with Pain
Aching or moderately painful teeth and gums are expected as braces or expanders do their gradual oral work. To battle it, there are a couple things you can do. One is to mix 1 teaspoon of salt to 8 ounces of warm water and swish your mouth. The salt eases muscle soreness and cleanses the gums of infections or swelling. Eating cold or frozen treats such as fruits, popsicles, or frozen yogurt can help ease pain and swollen gums as well. Another option that sounds sort of silly but actually works is massaging your gums with your finger. Just as a body massage, rubbing gently on your gums can relax them and offer relief.
Playing Sports or Being Active
If you’re physically active, it’s important to protect your mouth and orthodontic devices from damage. If applicable, use mouth guards. Not only does this protect your teeth and gums from contact damage (as in football) but it also keeps your braces from damaging oral tissue of the cheeks and lips. The same is true of the wax provided by your dental professional for the front of the braces.
Bad Breathe
Brace wearers often suffer from bad breath (also called halitosis) as a result of a couple factors. Not cleaning well enough around their orthodontic devices can lead to bad odors from the bacteria and plaque that grows there. So sticking with a great oral care routine as mentioned in the Extra Special Cleaning Suggestions section above will help. Bad breath can also result from a lack of saliva or hydration in the oral cavity. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day will wash away bacteria and excess food particles, thereby reducing odor. Certain healthy foods such as apples (be sure to slice them before you eat them) and other fiberous foods can help break down plaque that may be causing halitosis. Lastly, some people feel that a tongue scraper can remove excess bacteria and plaque from the tongue surface and reduce odors. Ask your dentist about the best option for you before tackling this issue.
Always Contact Your Dentist If….
There are several instances related to braces when you need to contact your dentist immediately. If your braces ever become damaged, you’ll want to get them fixed as soon as possible to keep your treatment on track. Also, if there is damage it often means discomfort for your mouth. Additionally, if a tooth suddenly becomes very loose or falls out, it is important to seek medical attention. Lose teeth is normal during orthodontic treatments as they move to their intended positions. Of course, pain is our bodies way of telling us something is wrong. If your mouth has unrelenting pain that lasts for more than a few hours, contact your dentist or orthodontist as soon as possible.
Braces Tips Reference List (Feel Free to Print and Keep this Handy!)
- Try not to eat chewy, hard, sticky, or crunchy foods.
- Reduce sugar intake to proportionately reduce plaque and tartar.
- Maintain oral cleaning routine.
- Add mouthwash, water flosser, and interdental brushes to clean braces well.
- To help with oral pain, use salt water rinsing, frozen treats or gum massages.
- Use mouth guards and dental wax while doing sports or physical activities to protect oral tissue.
- Battle bad breath by choosing fruits and vegetables, good oral hygiene, and staying hydrated.
- Contact your dentist if braces become damaged, teeth suddenly become excessively loose or fall out, or if serious pain persists for hours.
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