A perfectly straight, aligned smile is rare. Many of us deal with crooked teeth, misaligned jaws, and other oral issues. And while these conditions can be harmless, they can also cause major complications later in life.
This is why braces are so common! In fact, at any given time, over 4 million people in the United States have braces. The benefits of braces include giving you a brand new smile and boosting your confidence but also helping to prevent future issues.
That said, if you’re considering getting braces for yourself or your child, there are a few braces care mistakes that you need to be familiar with in order to get the best results. To learn all about these mistakes and how to avoid them, just keep reading.
- Going to a Dentist for Your Braces
Though dentists are indispensable in terms of your oral health, they’re not the right choice for braces. If you’re getting braces, you need to go to a specialist, known as an orthodontist.
Orthodontists’ expertise is different, and oftentimes more extensive, than your local dentist. You’ll still need to go to the dentist for cleanings during your time with braces, but for the care of the braces themselves, stick to the orthodontist.
- Not Keeping Up With Your Appointments
If you think your bi-yearly dental cleanings are a lot to keep up with, you might want to think twice before getting braces. Braces require a trip to the orthodontist on a much more regular basis — about once a month.
This is because braces require regular adjustments and inspections to ensure that you’re getting the most out of the experience and that your teeth are staying healthy.
- Eating Foods You Shouldn’t
One of the toughest parts about having braces is that it limits the types of foods that you can eat. Once you have braces, your orthodontist will give you a list of food that should be avoided during your treatment.
The foods on this list can break the brackets of your braces, forcing you to pay more because of additional orthodontist visits. Broken wires can also be painful, as the exposed metal point can cut your gums and cheeks.
- Disregarding Proper Oral Hygiene
When you have braces, you’ll need to not only complete your regular oral health regimen but also come up with a braces cleaning strategy. Braces make it much more difficult to clean your teeth effectively, so brushing and flossing will take a little more time and effort.
Your orthodontist might recommend a braces cleaning kit, which comes with a special floss for cleaning the wires of your braces, as well as a device that allows you to floss with water.
Avoid These Braces Care Mistakes to Get the Most Out of Your Investment
It’s no secret that, while helpful, braces are an investment. From the braces themselves to X-rays, orthodontist visits, and other tests, the typical braces wearer spends thousands throughout the process.
Because of this, it’s important to avoid these braces care mistakes at all costs. You’ll spend less time in and out of the orthodontist’s office, protect your teeth, and save money in the long run.
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