Orthodontic treatment is an important investment in your smile and your future. Everyone helping with your orthodontic care wants you to have the best results possible. While you are wearing braces, it is essential that you take care of your teeth and gums.
The pertinent compromising oral hygiene factors are leading to:
1. Dental Caries.
2. Periodontitis and gingival recession.
3. Pigmentation and Stains.
4. Compromised aesthetic appearance
Tooth staining and decay
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| TOOTH DECAY ( RED CIRCLE) |
During treatment there is a risk teeth may decay and become permanently marked. Areas on the enamel surface may begin to lose minerals (the early stage of tooth decay) leaving unsightly white spots. It is essential you keep your teeth very clean and minimize sugary food and drinks.
Gum problems
There is an increased risk of bleeding and swollen gums during orthodontic treatment. Occasionally some of the gum and bone around the edge of the teeth can be lost. Gingivitis and the early stage of tooth decay can be reversed by taking extra care with your cleaning and diet. While you are wearing braces, you need to have regular checkups with your dental professional.
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| GINGIVITIS (GUM REDNESS, SWOLLEN) |
Therefore,
More care needed during orthodontics
1. Tooth-friendly diet
2. Braces-friendly diet and habits
3. Care at home
TOOTH-FRIENDLY DIET
Acidity of some common foods and drinks
Acidic foods & drinks
(PH less than 4.5)
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Low acidic foods & drinks
(PH greater than 4.5)
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Apples, apricots, cherries, oranges, pears, plums, pineapples
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Bananas, mangos, melons, pawpaws
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Tomatoes
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Soups, pasta
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Soft drinks (regular & diet drinks), sport drinks, wine, fruit juices
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Milk, soda, water, flat spring water, dairy foods
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Pickled vegetables
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Vegetables
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Salad dressings
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Meat, poultry, seafood
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Lemons
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Eggs, soda crackers
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Most of us are well aware that sugary foods and drinks can lead to tooth decay. Starchy foods, such as potato crips, can stick to teeth for long periods of time and cause tooth decay. There is increasing concern about acidic foods and drinks such as vinegar, salad dressings, colas (diet and regular), cordial, sports drinks, and fruit juices that can erode enamel from teeth when consumed frequently or when sipped over extended periods of time.
Saliva is your body’s natural defense against tooth decay. You need to give saliva plenty of time to wash away acids that form after eating and drinking.
A good rule to follow is to limit eating times each day to 3 meals and 2 snack times. You can drink plenty of water as often as you like. Be aware that bottled water may not contain fluoride.
BRACES –FRIENDLY DIET AND HABITS
There are foods that can loosen, break or bend wires and bands when you are wearing braces. Avoid hard foods such as nuts and hard biscuits. Foods such as apples and carrots should be chopped into small pieces before eating to reduce the stress on your braces. Avoid sticky foods such as caramels, toffees, muesli or fruits bars. No chewing gum! No chewing ice!
Habits such as nail biting, unnatural tongue thrusting, pencil chewing and nervous picking at your wires can also damage braces. Be aware of these habits and make an effort to stop them.
Remember that damaged braces mean extra appointments, inconvenience and extended treatment time. If any of these happen, be sure to make an appointment with your doctor immediately since tooth correction does not happen with debonded or damaged braces.
CARE AT HOME
When cleaning your mouth while you are wearing braces, you need to pay special attention not only to your teeth and gums, but also to the brackets and wires.
Here are 8 simple steps for keeping your teeth, gums and braces in great shape:
1. Using fluoride toothpaste and a small soft toothbrush, place your brush at an angle of 45 ° against the gums. Gently brush along the gum line where the gums and teeth meet, using a small circular motion on each tooth.
2. Spend about 10 seconds on each tooth before moving onto next tooth, brushing in a set pattern so that you don’t miss any teeth
3. Gently brush the braces. Press your toothbrush firmly enough so that the bristles spread into the gaps between the wire and the tooth. Brush in and around all of the brackets and wires. Ensure that you brush under the wires.
4. Brush both the inside and the outside surfaces of your teeth using a gentle circular motion on each tooth.
5. For the chewing surfaces, use a firm back and forth motion.
6. Spit out excess paste then closely inspect your teeth and braces in the mirror to check that they are clean and shinny.
7. Occasionally use plaque disclosing tablets to help you see if you are leaving plaque in any areas. Disclosing tablets can be purchased from pharmacies.
8. Use other oral care products as instructed by your doctor or dental professional.
‘Protecting and maintaining your healthy smile while wearing braces’
