Everyone knows that you can never be sure when an emergency will occur, and your teeth are no exception, especially if you have braces. Although they’re the tried-and-true method for straightening smiles, the metal brackets and wires can be broken, damaged, or dislodged which can injure your teeth as well as lacerate the tender tissues inside your mouth.
Thankfully, there are a few proactive steps you can take so that you don’t end up in the dentist’s chair. Continue reading to learn about 3 ways you can prevent potential orthodontic emergencies!
Method #1: Watch What You Eat
When your dentist first placed your braces, they probably provided you with a list of foods to avoid to protect your dental health. The wires and brackets notoriously trap bits of food against your teeth which work in tandem with acids created by bacteria in your mouth to erode your enamel. On top of that, overly hard and sticky foods could snap a wire or push a bracket out of place. Not only can this cause a great deal of discomfort, but it can also slow your treatment progress.
Sticking with softer foods that are easier to bite and chew helps keep everything in its place, so you won’t need an emergency dental appointment.
Method #2: Clean Them Thoroughly
You’ll have to take extra precautions to keep your teeth clean when they have orthodontics bonded to them. They’re likely to capture bits of whatever you’ve eaten, which will need to be cleared away. Food particles and germs can form a residue in the spaces between the metal and your pearly whites that contributes to the development of cavities and gum disease.
Brush and floss your teeth twice daily to remove plaque buildup regularly. If you don’t already have some, ask your dentist for special flossers designed to reach between the metal brackets and thoroughly scrub your smile. This keeps your enamel strong so you can resist tooth decay as well as potential chips, stains, and cracks.
Method #3: Apply Dental Wax
The sharp corners of your metal brackets can abrade the vulnerable flesh inside your cheeks and lips. Not only are these raw spots painful, but they can become infected. When your mouth is too sore to move, you might avoid basic tasks like eating and speaking that are essential for your well-being.
Thankfully, your dentist can provide a special wax that you can place over anything that’s poking you so that the inside of your mouth can heal. This can help any current wounds recover while simultaneously keeping new ones from forming.
By making these adjustments, you’re less likely to have any urgent orthodontic issues!
About the Practice
The team at Gale Ranch Family Dental provides a full range of services to meet you and your family’s dental needs all under one roof, including traditional braces. With several general dentists, specialists, and an orthodontist in the office, there’s no need to seek outside providers. They take the time to get to know your concerns so they can create fully individualized treatment plans to address them. Then, they utilize state-of-the-art technology to enhance your comfort while increasing the accuracy of results. If something happened to your braces and you need to be seen right away, you can request an appointment on the website or by calling (925) 648-8881.