Braces are used to correct misaligned teeth or some other defect in the teeth. They may also be used to keep the teeth in position after a dental procedure. Braces may be either fixed or removable. The kind of braces that you need ideally depends upon how much your teeth need to be moved. While fixed braces need to be worn for at least 12 to 24 months, removable braces take a lot lesser time.
Living with braces may not be very easy, at least during the initial years of usage. At first, you are bound to deal with a great deal of discomfort on wearing braces. Some people may also experience pain initially. Your gums and lips may also become sore. However, this discomfort fades away eventually.
Sometimes, braces may also cause speech problems. There may be problems initially in pronouncing certain words. These problems too disappear as one begins to get comfortable with the braces.
Taking care of braces
It is important that you take adequate care of your braces to avoid any kind of dental problems. not taking proper care of your braces can lead to problems like dental decay, tooth decalcification and inflamed gums. Here are some tips that will help you with the same.
* People who are into the habit of biting nails or chewing their pencil should strictly refrain from the same as this can damage the brace.
* You should remove your braces before playing any kind of sports. Remove your braces and wear a mouthguard meanwhile. Those using fixed braces can use a special mouthguard over fixed braces.
* Eat only soft foods for the first few days after wearing the brace.
* Do not eat sticky or hard foods like apples, carrots and crusty rolls. Hard foods can break the wires and damage your teeth as well.
* Keep the intake of fizzy drinks and natural fruit juices to a minimum. These drinks are acidic and contain sugar in high amounts which can stain the braces.
* Clean your tooth and braces after every meal. There should be no food particles sticking to the braces.
* In case, you lose or damage your braces, make sure that you see your dentist at the earliest.
* Use total control toothpastes when you are using braces. These toothpastes fight plaque and offer tartar control.
* Using floss threaders is also suggested when you are wearing braces. They help remove any food particles that may be lying below the braces.
* Visit a dentist regularly to ensure that your braces are in the perfect position. Ideally, you should visit your dentist every six to eight weeks. This is because the braces need to be adjusted over the time for them to keep on working properly.
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