Correcting any orthodontic problem usually takes time and unlike fixing a tooth cavity or teeth whitening the treatment goes much beyond the chair meant for patients in a dentist’s office. The success in this type of treatments depends on a handful of factors the most important of which are how well a patient is making use of an orthodontic appliance and how well the appliance is being maintained both on a day-to-day basis. Thus with young patients – for example patients in their early adolescent or teenage years – driving a treatment to success is even more difficult. Such patients have to be taken especial care of so that they understand how important it is to take care of their appliance and how well they should care for it. Once they understand the importance of these dual aspects clearly then it is somewhat easier to achieve desired outcomes from one’s treatment.
Your orthodontic appliance – taking the right care and maintenance
Orthodontic appliances like braces, retainers and others are basically designed to be strong and durable, but those tend to get damaged when you do not handle those with the proper amount of care. Parents play an important role in this regard to make children understand the importance of following care instructions for their appliances and also what they should do to take proper care of those. Here are a few easy and helpful tips on the mater.
Fixed metal braces
If your metal braces get damaged then that must be repaired; the repairing could take time and that is likely to extend the course of your treatment warns a dentist in a renowned oral health practice in London as a part of braces aftercare. Again, a wire on the appliance may become loose to make you suffer from irritation. If left untreated over a period of time then it may also lead to oral ulcer. To avoid such serious complications here is an easy tip, use a little force to mover the loose wire under the arch wire and this will save from the discomfort. As far as the affected area of the mouth is concerned it is a good idea to apply some dental wax. Once this preliminary care is taken then you can contact your treatment provider and take an appointment as early as it is possible.
Dealing with removable dental appliances
If you use any removable dental appliance – for example a retainer – you must always place it in its case or container whenever you are not using it. You should build this habit and once the habit gets built up it serves many benefits. A case or container keeps your appliance safe and protected from any damage; it stays in a hygienic environment inside its container and the appliance does not get lost. Once an orthodontic appliance gets lost you never know how much time it would take to find it back again and the time in between simply goes to wastage. It is relevant to mention here that you must not forget to take out any removable appliances from the teeth while brushing or flossing, enjoying a swim or participating in any kind of contact sports like football, ice hockey, rugby and others.
As major post op orthodontic instructions dentists emphasise the necessity of cleaning your dental appliance every day. You should never ever place your orthodontic retainer in the dishwasher for cleaning which many people cannot resist doing and end up with damaged appliances. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and cold water to give the appliances a proper clean every day. Do not make use of hot water or any abrasive toothpaste for the purpose; that will rather damage the appliances more than anything else.
Easy and effective tips for proper care of teeth
Whenever you are undergoing any orthodontic treatment, it is crucial to keep your teeth and the mouth clean and maintain sound oral hygiene on a daily basis. As basics you must brush the teeth after every meal. Along with that floss the teeth twice daily and rinse the mouth well with an antibacterial fluoride mouthwash. It is important to note that when you are on orthodontic braces you may have to use a different type of toothbrush so that every surface of the teeth as well as the appliance gets properly cleaned. The most sensitive area in this context is the one that exists between the gums and the braces; it is this area where food particles get trapped most often. Trapped food particles opens up the door to harmful plaque build-ups which leads to setting in of decay and formation of cavities in the mouth, periodontal infection or gum disease and loads of other oral health issues. Flossing proves an effective way to remove food particles trapped between the teeth as well as around the wires of the braces. Those who are on retainers need to remove it while brushing and flossing the teeth.
Healthy eating is important
There are certain foods and drinks that are likely to damage dental appliances easily or raise the risk of various issues related to oral health. As a part of practically every orthodontic aftercare patients are asked to avoid those foods and drink items at all costs. The type of foods and drinks that you should stay away from include the following –
- Hard foods like certain types of nuts, ribs, hard sweets, celeries, popcorn and others
- Sticky food items like caramel, chewing gums and peanut butter, etc.
- Crunchy items like apple, raw carrot, crisps and others
- Chewy foods like bagel, chewy sweets
Nasty habits like biting on fingernails, chewing on ice cubes, pencil tips and pen caps are also known to damage dental appliance. You should replace those habits at all costs.
Sugary and syrupy drinks as well as foods are harmful for the teeth and the gums. These are in fact also harmful for your overall oral health. Avoid cola drinks and packaged fruit juices to avoid thriving of harmful bacteria in your mouth. Any oral health issue that may appear during the course of your orthodontic treatment only delays the treatment while adding to complexity.
Routine visits to your orthodontist are helpful assessing the progress of your treatment; those visits also enable the expert make necessary adjustments to your braces and retainers. It is important to note that as a crucial orthodontic aftercare instruction you must continue with your routine dental checkups throughout the course of any orthodontic treatment at 1A Orthodontics London.