It is rewarding to start the journey with braces toward a straighter smile. However, this requires some changes to your everyday routine. Fullerton family orthodontist recommends healthy eating and oral hygiene habits to ensure minimal discomfort. In this blog post, we will provide helpful advice on how to manage your discomfort while wearing braces and your eating habits and oral hygiene.
- Eating while wearing braces
- Foods that are soft and non-sticky: Stick to soft foods that are gentle on your brackets and wires when wearing braces. Make mashed potatoes, yogurt, pasta, and soup of your choice.
- Slice Your Food: To make fruits and vegetables easier to manage while eating them without endangering their braces, slice them into bite-sized pieces.
- Avoid Hard and Sticky Foods: Avoid sticky foods like caramel and chewing gum as well as firm, crunchy nibbles like popcorn and nuts. These could hurt you and your braces.
- Be Aware of Your Chewing Habits: Use your molars to bite into food instead of your front teeth to lessen pressure on the brackets and wires.
- Oral hygiene when wearing braces
- Wash Your Mouth After Each Meal: Your braces are easily accessible to food particles, which increases the chance of plaque accumulation and deterioration. Carry toothpaste and travel toothbrush to clean up after meals.
- Floss Carefully: With braces, flossing can be a little more difficult, but it’s still very important. A floss threader was used to obtain orthodontic floss and wires on the teeth.
- Rinse with Mouthwash: An antimicrobial mouthwash can help eradicate microorganisms and maintain a healthy mouth. If you are unable to brush during the day, it will be extremely helpful.
- Continual check-ups: Keep with your biannual dental examinations. Your orthodontist can assist you in upholding proper dental hygiene and addressing any problems that may arise.
- Managing discomfort
- Dental wax: It can offer relief if braces cause irritation or sores on the cheeks, lips, or tongue. It is used to smooth the sharp edges of the braces.
- Painkillers available over-the-counter: Ibuprofen and other over-the-counter painkillers can help with any discomfort or soreness that may follow the modifications.
- Orthodontic Wax for Braces: Orthodontic wax is created especially to ease pain from braces. For immediate relief, it is applied to any irritating regions.
- Use a cold compress: to ease discomfort if swelling or irritation is noticed.
- Remain Positive
- Concentrate on the Goal: Keep in mind that adjusting to life with braces and experiencing discomfort is temporary. Think of the stunning grin you will have once the procedure is over.
- Speak with Your Orthodontist: Do not hesitate to contact your orthodontist if you experience ongoing discomfort or if you have any questions. To make the experience more pleasant, they can provide advice and solutions.
In conclusion, having braces may necessitate a few changes to one’s daily schedule, but they are a minor price to pay for a perfectly straight grin. You will get the most out of your orthodontic treatment and ensure a positive outcome by adhering to this dietary advice, oral hygiene recommendations, and discomfort management suggestions.