Understanding Dental Pain and Bacterial Infections

Posted on: 24 September 2017

Braces are some of the most effective treatments for dental alignment, but only if you follow your orthodontist's recommendation. In fact, taking care of orthodontics isn't that difficult, you just need to follow these three major steps.

Keep Your Mouth Clean

The presence of orthodontics in your mouth means your mouth will be more difficult to clean because the braces block some teeth surfaces. At the same time, your mouth will be dirtier than ever since the orthodontics trap bits of food in your mouth.  Organic matter in your mouth will feed bacteria in your mouth and lead to oral complications such as gum disease.

Therefore, you need to be even more careful with your oral hygiene than you were before getting the braces. Brush and floss after your meals every day without fail. You can use floss threaders to make the process easier.

Watch What and How You Eat

Food matters will also affect the success of your braces; what you eat and how you eat it matters. Here are some food-related precautions to take to make your braces a success:

• Avoid sticky foods, such as gum, since they are more likely to be trapped on your braces
• Avoid hard, such as nuts, foods that may damage your wires
• Cut food into small pieces so that you don't have to bite them; biting increases the risk of braces damage
• Chew with your back teeth to reduce the load on your braces

Wear Your Orthodontic Appliances As Instructed

Orthodontic appliances may be uncomfortable to wear, especially in the beginning, but you need to wear them strictly as instructed by the orthodontist. The more you wear the braces the more they will be comfortable and the faster they will straighten your teeth. This includes everything from the rubber bands to the headgear; only take them out in accordance with your orthodontist's instructions. For example, you may be advised to take them out while eating or swimming; just know that the more you take out the appliances the slower you will benefit from the treatment.

You know you are a good candidate for dental braces if you have a bite problem but are otherwise in a good state of general health. Note that malocclusion (bite problem) is not just a cosmetic problem; it also increases your risk of dental conditions such as cavities and gum disease. Therefore, don't hesitate to get help if you have malocclusion.  Visit a site like http://www.accentdentalnwi.com/ for more help.