Your new set of braces that were installed by our Quality Orthodontic Care team will adjust the alignment of your teeth over the course of multiple adjustment sessions. If the braces become damaged, bent or if you develop cavities on your teeth, it will hamper the progress imparted by your braces. There are a few oral hygiene considerations and lifestyle changes that can help you clean and maintain your braces for maximum benefit.
Eating sticky foods and chewing gum poses a significant threat to your braces. These sticky substances are the most common things that lead to bent wires, loose brackets or dislodged spacers. Biting into and chewing hard foods or ice can also lead to significant damage. You should also make a conscious effort to curb bad habits like nibbling on pencils, pens or your fingernails.
If your braces are damaged, you can protect your mouth from any sharp points of the appliance by using the special orthodontic wax your orthodontist, Dr. John Fleming, gave to you when your braces were installed. If you don’t have the wax readily on hand, you can improvise with a pencil eraser for a short-term solution.
Maintaining an effective daily oral hygiene routine is also very important. If you have trouble cleaning around the braces or flossing the spaces between your teeth, you might want to try using interdental brushes or a floss threader with wax-coated floss.
If you have questions about the best way to clean and maintain your braces in Alpharetta, Georgia, you should call Quality Orthodontic Care at 770-901-2433 to schedule an appointment.