How To Care For Your Braces
At OMI Orthodontics, we are dedicated to helping you achieve a healthy, confident smile. Your orthodontic treatment is an important investment, and knowing how to care for your braces is essential to ensure the success of your treatment. Whether you have metal or ceramic braces, proper maintenance plays a significant role in achieving the best results. If you’ve ever looked up the phrase “how to care for your braces in Fishers/Fort Wayne/Auburn,” this article is for you.
How to Care For Your Metal Braces
Metal braces are durable and effective but require daily care to keep them in excellent condition throughout treatment. Here are some tips on how to care for your braces:
- Brushing and Flossing: After every meal, brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Pay special attention to cleaning around the brackets and wires. Use an interdental brush or floss threader to remove food particles between your teeth and braces.
- Avoid Certain Foods: Hard, sticky, or chewy foods can damage metal braces. Avoid foods like popcorn, nuts, gum, and caramel. Cut fruits and vegetables into smaller pieces to prevent strain on the brackets.
- Use Orthodontic Wax: If you experience discomfort from brackets rubbing against the inside of your mouth, apply orthodontic wax to create a barrier.
- Regular Checkups: Attend all your scheduled appointments so Dr. Joel Johnson can monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments.
How to Care For Your Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are a more discreet alternative to metal braces, but they require extra attention to keep them looking their best and functioning properly. Here’s how to care for your braces:
- Stain Prevention: Ceramic braces can stain over time, especially the ligatures (small rubber bands). Limit your consumption of staining foods and drinks like coffee, tea, red wine, and tomato sauce. Rinse your mouth with water if you do consume these items.
- Daily Cleaning Routine: Use the same brushing and flossing techniques as with metal braces—especially around brackets and wires. Consider using a fluoride rinse to maintain enamel strength.
- Be Gentle: While ceramic braces are strong, they can be slightly more fragile than metal braces. Be cautious with crunchy foods, and avoid biting into hard items like apples or corn on the cob.
- Professional Maintenance: Like with metal braces, it’s vital to continue attending your orthodontic checkups to ensure the ceramic brackets remain secure and effective.
Know How to Care For Your Braces in Fishers
Maintaining your braces is important for several reasons. First, proper care promotes oral health. Food particles and plaque can easily accumulate around brackets and wires, increasing your risk of cavities and gum disease. A thorough cleaning routine ensures your teeth and gums stay healthy throughout treatment.
Second, caring for your braces ensures the efficiency of your orthodontic treatment. Broken brackets or wires can delay your progress, extending the time you’ll need to wear braces. Following care guidelines help you achieve the smile you’ve been working toward in the shortest time possible.
Finally, knowing how to care for your braces in Fishers, Fort Wayne, and Auburn gives you more confidence. Clean and well-maintained braces feel more comfortable and contribute to a positive appearance during your treatment.
What to Do If Your Braces Break
Accidents can happen even if you know how to care for your braces in Fishers, Fort Wayne, and Auburn. Here’s what to do if your braces break:
- Broken Bracket: If a bracket becomes loose or detaches from your tooth, notify our office immediately. To prevent irritation, you can temporarily secure it with orthodontic wax.
- Poking Wire: If a wire is poking out and causing discomfort, apply wax if needed for short-term relief until you can visit us.
- Lost Ligature or Rubber Band: If a rubber band or ligature comes off, you can try to reattach it using sterilized tweezers. Call us if this isn’t possible, and we’ll assist you.
- Severe Damage: For significant issues, such as multiple broken brackets or severe pain, contact OMI Orthodontics in Fishers immediately.
Choose OMI Orthodontics in Fishers
When it comes to orthodontic care, you deserve the best. At OMI Orthodontics, led by Dr. Joel Johnson, we proudly serve the Fishers, Fort Wayne, and Auburn communities with premium orthodontic services. We customize your treatment plan to meet your unique needs and goals.
Call us today to learn more about our braces options and schedule your consultation!