Braces are good for many reasons. They can help realign your smile, which prevents tooth decay. When your teeth are crooked and/or overlapping, it can make brushing and flossing more difficult. Because of this, braces help reduce the risk of cavities by straightening out your teeth and allowing you to properly brush and floss to get rid of cavity causing bacteria in the mouth. Although braces are meant for good, many people want to get them taken off as soon as they possibly can (understandably). There are tons of things you can do in order to make sure your mouth stays clean and your braces are being as effective as possible. Check out this list of things you can do to help get your braces off sooner:
-
Keep your mouth as clean as you possibly can
Following good oral hygiene habits will allow your teeth to seamlessly into their correct position in your mouth so you can get your braces off.
-
If you have solid foods, cut them into smaller pieces
For example, whole fruits and vegetables (like carrots or apples) can be cut up into smaller bite sized pieces so your braces don’t succumb to the pressure while eating.
-
If it’s not food, don’t chew it
Many people have the habit of chewing on pens, straws, finger nails, you name it! Unfortunately, chewing on these items can damage your braces causing you to have to keep them on longer.
-
Drop habits that push your teeth away from alignment
If you bit your nails, for example, there is a strong change of prolonged braces wearing.
-
Avoid foods and drinks that damage braces
For example: gum, soda, popcorn, nuts, chips, caramel, toffee, cookies, and ice cubes. These sugary or hard foods will cause tooth decay and damage your braces.
-
Keep your Elastics on and don’t skip wearing them at night
Although they may feel uncomfortable and unnatural, they will help speed up the alignment process for you.
-
Don’t miss an appointment at your Livermore Dentist’s office
The longer you put off your appointments, the longer you will wear your braces. Your dentist is an expert and can keep you updated on how well your teeth are coming along.
To maintain your teeth healthy visit your trusted Livermore Hills Dentist as often as needed, especially when dealing with braces. Prevent your teeth from being ruined by maintaining your dental hygiene and eating adequate foods to support your braces.