There are many things you can do to achieve a perfect smile. It isn’t just about having pearly white teeth too. It’s also about having straight teeth.
Crooked or misaligned teeth are a problem that is faced by millions worldwide. The most effective way to treat this problem is with braces. There are a lot of misconceptions about braces, but the most common is that it’s a dental treatment that’s purely cosmetic.
In reality, braces are used to treat other dental problems as well. For instance, braces can align your teeth if you suffer from an overbite or an underbite.
Many people get braces when they’re teenagers. However, more adults are getting the treatment as well. The big question now is, do you really need braces? If you tick yes to any of these signs, it might be time for a dentist appointment.
- Missing or extra teeth that cause large gaps in your mouth
- Teeth that don’t meet properly (or not at all)
- Crowded or misaligned teeth
- An overbite or underbite
- Regular biting on the insides of your cheek while eating
- Difficulty in chewing food
- Needing to breathe through your mouth even when you’re not panting
- Jaw problems such as joint issues and even unexplained sounds when your mouth moves
- Irregular loss of baby teeth
- Disproportioned jaws and teeth
- Early/improper wisdom tooth development
Some of the factors listed above are natural and can’t be helped.
One such factor is impacted wisdom teeth – this is when the tooth grows sideways instead of upwards. When it grows sidewards, your wisdom teeth can push the rest of your teeth forward. This causes misalignment, and in worst cases, it can result in an overbite/underbite as well.
Any of the factors related to the structure of your jaw and mouth are all natural and can’t be prevented.
On the other hand, some factors can be avoided. If you have a baby for instance, be mindful of their thumb-sucking habits.
If they continue to suck on their thumb for extended periods, it can cause an overbite. This happens because their fingers can inadvertently push the back of their front teeth forward.
Caring For Your Braces
Wearing braces takes time to get used to. It’s challenging, but here are a few tips to get you started.
1. Cleaning Your Braces
The biggest challenge when it comes to wearing braces is cleaning them. Unlike bare teeth, you need to clean the nooks and crannies of the wires as well.
When brushing your teeth, make sure that you do it gently but thoroughly to avoid snapping the wire or even taking out some brackets. Do it in front of a mirror to see whether you’ve completely taken off all of the food bits in between your braces.
Using traditional floss might be off the table when you’re wearing braces. To clean the space between your teeth, it’s best to use an interdental stick.
The material your braces are made out of isn’t sensitive. That means you can use any toothpaste you prefer.
2. Eating With Braces
Once your braces are installed, you need to get used to avoiding some things. Ideally, it’s best to avoid hard candy, nuts, and other hard foods. These can break your braces if you aren’t careful.
If you want good alternatives to these, opt for juicy fruits instead. Don’t rush and bite into an entire apple, though. Cut it into smaller pieces instead.
It’s best to avoid foods that can stick to your braces too. These include gum, fudge, and caramel.
You might get a few cuts while getting used to eating with braces. Don’t forget to apply dental wax on the sharp parts in case you do get cut.
3. Avoid Heavy Contact On Your Braces
Your teeth are a little fragile with braces on. It’s best to avoid getting hit in the mouth while you’re still wearing it. Additionally, you can cut your lips and the insides of your mouth if you get hit with braces on.
If you’re planning on playing any contact sport, make sure to wear a mouthguard.
Not a lot of people like the idea of getting braces. To be frank, living with braces is hard as there will be some restrictions when it comes to food. The amount of work needed to clean your braces is also something that you’ll need to get used to.
However, these are all minor things if you consider the end product of all that hard work. It’s not just the cosmetic benefits too. Having perfectly aligned teeth means being able to chew food properly, having a stronger bite, and avoiding a lot of oral health problems.
Contact us at Smileville if you think you might need this treatment ASAP!
