Just Got Braces? 3 Questions You May Need The Answers To

When you first got your braces put on, your orthodontist probably answered a lot of the questions that you had. However, after you leave the office and begin living your life, more questions will likely crop up. Here are three questions that may creep into your mind and the answers to them:

How do you make sure you brush and floss properly?

With metal brackets on your teeth, it makes brushing and flossing more difficult. However, it is crucial that you try to brush your teeth following every meal to get to any plaque food particles that have adhered to the braces and the teeth. Colgate recommends that you rinse your mouth with water first, which can help to loosen any pieces of food that have become lodged around your braces. Then, when you start brushing, you should brush at a 45-degree angle and start at the gumline. You should then angle your toothbrush down and brush the top of your metal brackets, and vice versa with the bottom of the brackets. Don't forget to floss, too, which can often be made easier with a floss threader.

Why do your cheeks get so sore? Will the tenderness and discomfort ever go away?

Braces are a stranger in your mouth, and it's going to take some time for them to feel comfortable. It's sort of like a brand new pair of shoes. You have to break them in before they stop feeling weird and causing you discomfort. The soreness and discomfort that you're experiencing in your mouth, especially on the inside of your cheeks, will only be temporary and will go away within the coming weeks as your mouth gets used to the braces being there. In the meantime, though, you can help alleviate some of the discomfort and tenderness by applying orthodontic wax to the brackets and wires that are irritating you. If you misplaced your dental wax, you can either call your orthodontist to get some or head to the corner pharmacy to pick some up.

Will it ever be possible to eat something besides soft food?

You see other people with braces all the time and they're not eating soft food. They're enjoying apple slices, chips, and the like. However, the way your mouth feels right now you don't think you'll ever be able to get past the mashed potatoes and oatmeal that you're having a difficult time eating right now. Luckily, the tenderness will go away over the next several weeks and you will feel more comfortable eating foods that require more chewing. Before long, you will only be having to avoid the foods that may actually bend or break your braces, such as hard candies, hard chips and nuts.

Look at this site or speak with a dental professional to learn more.

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