5 Things Your Orthodontist Wants You To Do When Wearing Braces

Having braces will help straighten your teeth, align your jaw, and make your overall face shape better. There are things your orthodontist wants you to do to make your braces experience most successful. Here are five things your orthodontist wants you to do when you wear braces and beyond.

Wear your retainer

If you wear a retainer in addition to having braces, wear it diligently. Your retainer is used to help your teeth stay in place once you have your braces taken off, and if you don't wear your retainer on the regular, you can risk having your teeth go back to the way they were prior to braces or at least not stay in the place your braces moved them to.

Don't eat certain foods

While your braces are in place, your orthodontist wants you to avoid certain foods that can get stuck in the brackets. You want to keep your teeth as clean and free of debris as possible, which is already harder when you have braces, so avoid chewy candy, jerky, popcorn kernels, and other foods that can make oral hygiene hard to keep up while wearing braces.

Keep your orthodontist appointments

In order for your braces to give you the results you want, you have to have your braces adjusted to meet your shifting smile. This means going to the orthodontist regularly to have your braces adjusted and the brackets removed and replaced as needed. If you have to miss an orthodontist appointment, reschedule it for another day as soon as you can.

Tell your orthodontist about discomfort

If your braces are bothering you or you have brackets rubbing against your skin, your orthodontist wants to know. You can receive special care or get a paste to put on your gums where the discomfort lies but only if you let your orthodontist know. Their goal is to provide you optimum dental care while you are wearing braces, so be transparent with your orthodontist about all your discomforts.

Continue regular dental care

Go to the regular dentist for cleanings and checkups just as you did before you got braces. Your dentist and orthodontist are both fully invested in your oral health, so make sure you see your dentist for your regular dental care and have your cavities filled, dental cleanings are done, and gums checked as recommended by your dental practitioner. Your orthodontist will let you know about other precautions they wish you to take when you have braces.

For more information, reach out to an orthodontist like one at Reed & Sahlaney Orthodontics, LLP. 

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