Braces versus Retainers: A Comprehensive Overveiw

Braces versus Retainers: A Comprehensive Overveiw

3 Protective Actions To Take After You Get Braces

by Lonnie Bryant

There's no need to feel ashamed about getting braces for yourself; you're taking a giant leap towards improving your oral health by bringing your teeth into shape. Adult braces are a good way to align your teeth. Getting braces shouldn't be daunting or scary and can make a huge difference to your appearance. To make sure you're prepared and to protect your teeth when your adult braces are in, follow these protective actions:

Say 'NO' To Hard, Brace-Damaging Foods

Certain foods are just not ideal when you're wearing braces. Hard foods like nuts, popcorn, hard-crusted bread rolls, crunchy fruits and hard candy can hurt wires and brackets. Biting into these types of foods will likely damage the braces, which means that you'll have to run back to your dentist to get them fixed – a time wasting exercise when it could have been avoided in the first place. Your teeth need to be in the best possible shape for braces so you may want to avoid these foods in the weeks leading up to the brace fixing procedure. Stick to soft foods, soups and pastas to ensure minimal damage.

Brush! Brush! Brush! – After Every Meal

Food stuck in braces can result in plaque forming, which can trigger bacteria, infections and cavities if you're not careful. But when you eat, food can easily get stuck in these braces. The best way to protect your teeth from infections and cavities is to brush them after every meal. Make sure the bristles of the toothbrush are soft and not too hard, as you don't want to end up bending or popping the brackets of your new braces. Use mouthwash after brushing for added protection.

Resist The Urge To Touch Braces… With Your Hands Or Tongue

When you first get braces on your teeth, it's common to feel some discomfort and you may want to touch or adjust the braces to alleviate it. This could end up damaging the braces or hurting your teeth. Keep in mind that some discomfort is natural at the start as you're getting used to this new object in your mouth. A little irritation on your gums, teeth and cheeks is perfectly normal and is an indication that your braces are starting to do their job. Don't try to touch them or adjust them with your tongue or hands because you can make things worse.

Make sure you follow these protective actions to give your teeth the best possible chance at successful alignment.


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About Me

Braces versus Retainers: A Comprehensive Overveiw

There are more than two ways to straighten a smile, and in this blog, I plan to discuss them all. I plan to look at the differences between braces and retainers and explain why sometimes you may need them both. I look at the differences in cost, time commitment and efficacy. Personally, I have had a bit of experience with this subject – I had braces as a young teen, and I had a permanent retainer. In this blog, I discuss what I have learned, and I present all kinds of new information on the topic. Whether you are trying to make decisions for yourself or your child. I hope you find this information useful.