Orthodontics in Hamilton focuses on diagnosing and treating teeth and jaw irregularities. Orthodontists use braces to correct a wide variety of dental problems including a misaligned jaw (known as malocclusion), and crooked, crowded, and rotated teeth. Braces exert constant pressure on teeth to move them.
Some types of braces are traditional metal braces, ceramic clear braces, invisible braces, self-ligating braces, and lingual braces. When choosing the right type of braces for a patient, a dentist in Hamilton considers two important factors: the patient’s age, and whether they have an overbite (which is when the upper teeth overlap the bottom teeth).
Here are some things you can do to get the most out of your braces.
Practice Good Oral hygiene
Food particles can hide inside brackets used by braces. Remember to brush and floss underneath brackets to remove any stuck food particles. If you use a manual toothbrush, replace it with an electric toothbrush, as electric toothbrushes clean more effectively around brackets than their manual counterparts. When necessary, use a floss threader or an orthodontic flosser to remove food particles stuck in hard-to-reach areas.
Avoid over-brushing or under-brushing as both over-brushing and under-brushing could lead to dental problems. If you use Invisalign in Hamilton, do not forget to lightly brush the inside of the trays with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Watch What You Eat
Avoid hard, gooey, crunchy, and sticky foods as they can damage the bands and wires of your braces. In some cases, sticky foods can even pull a bracket away from one of your teeth. Some foods to avoid during braces treatment include ice cream, candy and sugary snacks (can cause cavities), popcorn, chewing gum, corn on the cob, fibrous vegetables, pretzels, nuts, bagels, and pizza crust. Also, do not chew on non-food items such as pencils and toothpicks as they can cause damage to your braces.
Do not Miss Appointments With Your Orthodontist
During follow-up appointments with your orthodontist, the professional inspects your braces ensuring they’re working properly and your teeth are moving as planned. They also adjust your archwire as your teeth move and replace old elastic bands with new ones. Appointments help your orthodontist identify and address any problems early.
Follow Your Orthodontist’s Instructions
Follow your orthodontist’s usage instructions for the best possible outcome. If you play a contact sport, consider using a mouth guard and helmet to minimize the risk of injury.
Check Your Braces Regularly
Periodically inspect your braces for problems. If you notice a broken wire or a damaged bracket, consult your orthodontist, instead of trying to fix the problem yourself as you may inadvertently cause more damage to your braces.
What to do in a Braces Emergency?
Here are some types of braces emergencies and how to handle them.
A Bracket Becomes Loose
If the bracket is still attached to the wire, carefully apply wax without disturbing the bracket’s position. In case, a bracket or band comes off, put it in an envelope and bring the envelope with you to the next appointment with your orthodontist
Tooth Soreness or Irritation
During the initial stages of braces treatment, the orthodontic brackets may irritate your cheeks and mouth. You will get used to your braces after a few days. To relieve soreness and irritation, rinse your mouth with salt water.
Mouth Sores
In some cases, irritation caused by braces can lead to mouth sores. While uncomfortable, mouth sores typically resolve within 1-2 weeks. Avoid touching sores caused by your braces with your fingers. Rinse with warm salt water and apply wax to the affected area.
Poking Wires
As your teeth begin to move, the archwire may start poking near the back of your mouth, irritating your cheeks. An over-the-counter topical numbing agent can relieve irritation until your next appointment with your orthodontist.
Rosewood Dentistry is a reliable dental clinic in Hamilton. Regardless of how complicated the dental problem you’re trying to cope with is, we can come up with a cost-effective solution. To learn more, call (905) 547-8033.