As the new year is here, it’s an exciting time because it means you can start to think about the changes you want to make in 2021. Whether you want to improve your physical fitness routine or further your career, you can get a fresh start in the new year and look forward to meeting some of your goals. Your oral health can also work well when thinking about your resolutions to ensure you improve the quality of your teeth and gums, even as you wear braces. There are a few tips to follow to ensure you improve your oral health while working with your orthodontist.
Follow Your Orthodontist’s Instructions
It’s important to listen to the instructions your orthodontist provides you with as you work on aligning your teeth. Whether you wear headgear or rubber bands, the dental professional knows best when it comes to how frequently you need to wear the gear to ensure your teeth align properly and you achieve the smile you want to show off in the future. If you need to, add reminders to your phone or on a calendar to ensure you can remember when to wear the equipment to avoid falling behind with the progress you make.
Always Brush and Floss
Make a habit of brushing and flossing your teeth each day to remove plaque and tartar that can develop on the teeth. Bacteria that is present in the mouth and sits for too long and cause tooth decay to quickly develop, making it necessary to remove the grime and improve your oral health. One of the most common challenges many people have with wearing braces is flossing correctly because the braces are in the way. Fortunately, there are specific flossers available to get in-between the teeth and around the metal brackets and wires. This can make it easier to floss while on the go and in half the time to make it easier to commit to your oral hygiene routine.
Wear a Mouthguard
When you spend time in gym class or playing and practicing contact sports, it can be easy to suffer from injuries if you get bumped or knocked down. Wearing a mouthguard is essential to protect your teeth and prevent them from suffering from damage while staying physically active. You can even visit our office for a custom mouthguard to ensure it fits correctly and doesn’t feel too loose or bulky. We can even add your team’s colors to the item to make it blend in well with your uniform while spending time on the court or field.
Cut Out Hard and Sticky Foods
There are a variety of different foods that are a threat to your braces and teeth and can cause your brackets to pop off easily. Foods like nuts, popcorn, and caramel are all strong enough to cause damage to your braces, making it necessary to cut them out of your diet until your time wearing braces is completed. You also want to avoid eating sticky food like candy.
By creating the right resolutions related to your oral health and by improving your routine with caring for your teeth, it can allow you to show off your smile and make significant progress throughout the year. Our team at West U Smiles is here to help and can offer our assistance. Contact us today if you’re ready to schedule a free consultation to ensure you can look forward to showing off a beautiful smile in 2021.
– The West U Smiles Team
