BRACES CARE.

The orthodontist, after performing a thorough examination and defining your dental problems, proceeds to carry out the first step of the orthodontic treatment, which is the bonding of the braces; in other words, putting the braces on the teeth. After this first appointment, you must keep in mind the following care for your braces:

Braces care to manage the pain:

You are going to have pain or a feeling of mobility in your teeth the first few days... This is normal; this pain may become more pronounced when eating or closing your mouth with a lot of pressure. In this case, taking medications such as painkillers is indicated to eliminate the pain. For example: acetaminophen.

It is contraindicated to take medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs because they affect tooth movement, for example: ibuprofen.

Braces care to prevent them from coming off:

You must be careful with the food you eat. Avoid hard foods since they can knock off brackets or bend wires.

Some of these are:

Bones, pork rinds, ice cubes, popcorn, vegetables, fruits such as apples, pears, and meat must be cut into small pieces. Avoid biting your nails or opening packages with your teeth, as we can damage the appliances.

Braces care to prevent cavities:

Avoid high-sugar and sticky foods because they get stuck between the braces and, if you do not have good oral hygiene, can promote the onset of cavities; some of these are: chewing gum, candies, lollipops, hard candies.

You must improve your oral hygiene, because braces make brushing and flossing more difficult. This causes a buildup of bacterial plaque and promotes the onset of cavities and gum inflammation. To avoid this, we must use a specific oral hygiene kit for orthodontic care, in which you will find an interproximal brush indicated for brushing between the braces in the spaces a regular toothbrush cannot reach, a floss threader to use dental floss between each tooth, and wax indicated to place over each bracket when they hurt your cheeks or lips.

Orthodontic treatment aims to align and level the teeth to improve the smile. It is a teamwork effort between the dentist and you as the patient.