No matter what age you are, wearing braces comes with a bit of a learning curve. You have to get used to a new way of speaking, eating, smiling, and even breathing while you wait through the treatment process. It can be hard to make all these changes at once, which is why so many people have trouble getting rid of bad habits during this formative treatment process.
Top Bad Habits with Braces
It is important to keep your teeth in the best possible condition while wearing braces; that way, you can ensure that the device is working its magic. But eating and chewing certain substances can just make matters worse. Your local Palm Springs orthodontist wants you to be aware of the top bad habits with braces so you can break them now.
Eating Sticky or Chewy Foods
There are certain foods that you just can’t eat when wearing braces. Something that is particularly sticky can get stuck in the metal brackets and different pieces of your braces, which can be almost impossible to get off. Chewy and hard items can get wedged in between your teeth and the metal braces and cause further damage. You’re going to have to say goodbye to chewing gum for a little while!
Chewing Hard Things
You shouldn’t be putting anything in your mouth that isn’t edible. If you have a bad habit of chewing on pens, plastic, hair, or other solid substances, you might be doing more damage to your teeth than you even know. It is all too easy to break a wire or a bracket off of your braces when chewing hard things. In fact, chewing nails and pens is the number one bad habit of people with braces. Avoid a dental emergency and keep small objects out of your mouth while wearing braces.
Avoiding a Daily Dental Hygiene Routine
Just because you have metal on your teeth doesn’t mean you can stop brushing them. In fact, it is more important than ever to invest in daily dental hygiene. Bacteria and food particles have plenty of new places to hide when you are wearing braces, so it is critical that you give your mouth a thorough brush at least twice a day. You can also floss. Just be sure to avoid your braces. An electric toothbrush might help simplify your oral health regimen.
Opening Bags with Your Teeth
It is never a good idea to open packages or lids with your teeth. But it is even more dangerous when you are wearing braces. This puts undue pressure on the metal, which could cause parts of it to break or fall out of alignment. This will damage the overall structure of your teeth, which could have grave medical impacts over time. Reach for some scissors instead!
Not Wearing the Retainer
Once your braces come off, it will feel good to finally be free of all that metal. But you have to continue your self-discipline and wear the retainer for several weeks afterward. You can take it out to sleep and eat, but it should be worn throughout the rest of the day. This is what can help keep your teeth in their new place while protecting them from feeling too vulnerable.
Let Your Braces Be Effective!
You may be practicing some bad braces habits without even realizing it. If you are a nail biter or a gum chewer, try to change your behaviors for the sake of your orthodontic treatment. It can be hard to wait through the treatment process, but the effects that your braces will have on your teeth will all be worth it. Learn more about the benefits of braces at Shodhan Dentistry in Desert Hot Springs by giving us a call today!
