How do you take care of braces now that you have them? Throughout the entire orthodontic treatment period, it is very important for you to know how to correctly take care of your braces.
Please do not fret. In no time at all, you will be able to eat popcorn as well as snack on potato chips. But, before you can return to eating some of your favorite snacks and food, you will need to pay special attention and avoid certain types of foods that might damage your new braces.
It is possible that you will notice that both your teeth as well as mouth might feel slightly tender or sore when you first have your braces installed. The tenderness you may feel is quite normal and Dr. Rahaim promises that any tenderness you might experience will not continue forever! To relieve any discomfort that you may encounter, Dr. Rahaim recommends that you dissolve one teaspoon of salt into eight ounces of water that is heated to a lukewarm temperature. Vigorously swish and gargle this saltwater solution in your mouth for about two minutes. Be sure to never swallow the saltwater solution.
You can also try consuming an over-the-counter pain remedy that is suitable for you if any discomfort that you may experience does not dissipate after rinsing with the warm, saline solution. It is common for your tongue, cheek, and lips to become irritated during the initial one-to-two-week period after your braces are installed. However, those soft tissues that might become tender will gradually toughen and will become used to wearing braces. At your request, Smiles By Design Orthodontics in D’Iberville will be happy to provide you with some dental wax that will help reduce any discomfort that you may feel after the braces are initially installed.
Do not worry if your teeth begin to feel a bit loose. This sensation is perfectly normal. To move the teeth into the correct position, the braces must initially loosen your teeth to a small degree. The teeth will no longer be loose after the teeth are repositioned by the braces.
On occasion, the wires and bands that secure the braces to your teeth might come loose. If this happens, please contact Smiles By Design Orthodontics as quickly as possible so that Dr. Rahaim can inspect and repair your braces. If any piece of your braces falls off, be certain that you save this piece and bring the piece to Smiles By Design Orthodontics with you.
You can provide a temporary fix to a loose wire. Carefully use the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to gently push the loose wire back into position. Apply dental wax or a wet cotton ball over a broken or loose wire that is causing your lips or cheeks to become irritated. The dental wax or wet cotton ball will provide a barrier that will relieve pain.
Be sure that you take proper care of your braces because damaged braces can increase the length of the entire treatment process. If you must consistently wear rubber bands, headgear, retainer, braces, or any other appliances that might be prescribed by Dr. Rahaim so that both your jaw and teeth can move into the correct position.
Smiles By Design Orthodontics has great news for all athletes! Athletic activities can still be performed even while the participant is undergoing orthodontic treatment. Smiles By Design Orthodontics highly recommends that a participant in athletic activities wear a mouth guard designed to protect both the teeth as well as the prescribed dental appliance. Be sure to discuss your athletic activities with J. Austin Rahaim, DMD, MS, so that you will be directed to utilize the right type of mouth guard that will provide the best protection.
It is imperative that both your mouth as well as dental appliance be immediately inspected for damage in the event that a sports emergency has occurred. Please contact Smiles By Design Orthodontics in D’Iberville immediately in the event that any loose teeth or damage to the dental appliance has occurred.
The application of dental wax or rinsing the mouth with lukewarm salt water can provide temporarily relief of discomfort.
