Table of contents:
- Cause someone has to wear braces
- Then, how to take care of braces?
- 1. Must regularly check with the dentist
- 2. Brush your teeth properly
- Are there any food or beverage restrictions when using braces?
- How long does it take for someone to wear braces?
- What are the common side effects of wearing braces?
Teeth that are fixed (not removable) are also known as "bleached teeth". The use of braces requires proper care and cleaning. Caring for it is not allowed, because if it is not cleaned properly, the existing teeth and gums can get sore and infection. Braces should also be installed by a dental specialist. Then, what is the reason someone wears braces? Then, how to care for braces properly?
Cause someone has to wear braces
In general, people who have abnormalities in the position of their teeth or jaw in their mouth are advised to wear braces. For example, teeth that are crammed and messy, whether it's because the teeth are growing too backward, too forward, teeth that are rotated, or tilted.
The condition of teeth with many gaps or distances is also recommended to use braces. Apart from the position of the teeth, there are also people who have a jaw shape that is too forward or too backward in the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both.
So, using these braces can help make the appearance of the face, especially the mouth and jaw, become better. Not only for appearance, the use of braces can be recommended if there are cases of jaw joint pain, you have difficulty chewing, or have difficulty speaking.
With the correct position of the teeth, this will improve the ability to chew, speak, and reduce the pain of the jaw joint.
Then, how to take care of braces?
Surely you have to go to the dentist regularly and do the maximum cleaning of your teeth at home as the key to treating teeth that use braces. Here's what to watch for:
1. Must regularly check with the dentist
If you have used permanent braces, routine controls are mandatory. Generally, dentists will suggest a 3-week follow-up time, it can be more frequent or longer depending on the case and the phase of treatment being carried out.
During control, the dentist will clean the teeth, replace the rubber, replace the wire if needed, re-apply the glue bracket detach, attaching attachments, etc. according to the dental case you have. If you find holes in your teeth, your teeth will also be filled.
2. Brush your teeth properly
Generally, you must brush your teeth at least twice a day, morning after breakfast and at night before bed. You are also advised to do the following:
- It is advisable to use a special ortho toothbrush.
- Using an interdental brush and dental floss after meals to clean between hard-to-clean teeth.
- Using mouthwash that contains fluoride after brushing your teeth to prevent cavities.
Apart from being diligent about brushing and cleaning your teeth after eating, there are special ways to brush your teeth. You should brush your teeth in the morning and at night before bed using fluoride toothpaste to prevent cavities in your teeth.
Ensure that when brushing all surfaces of the teeth are brushed (the front facing the cheeks or lips, the back facing the tongue or the palate, and the chewing surface), especially between the teeth, around the braces, and bracket (the part that sticks to the tooth).
As explained above, it is recommended that you use an ortho toothbrush. An ortho toothbrush is a brush whose bristles are shorter in the middle than at the edges. This ortho toothbrush is proven to clean plaque better than regular toothbrushes.
Are there any food or beverage restrictions when using braces?
Avoid hard and sticky foods while using braces, especially in the first weeks of use because they increase the risk of them coming off bracket. Foods that are hard afterwards can be eaten but in a way that is easier to chew, such as eating fruit by cutting rather than being bitten directly. Sour and sweet foods and drinks should also be avoided as they increase the risk of cavities.
How long does it take for someone to wear braces?
The duration of wearing braces depends on many factors, so it is not the same for everyone. Factors are influenced such as the age of the patient, how difficult the case is, how often to control the braces, and how much the tooth wants to be moved. However, in general the time it takes for the braces to complete is more than 1.5 years.
What are the common side effects of wearing braces?
Wearing braces also has side effects. Here are some common possibilities:
- Teeth become more difficult to clean
- The risk of sore gums becomes inflamed if you are not diligent in cleaning your teeth
- The risk of cavities, especially in the surrounding area bracket and between the teeth
- Discomfort or pain when the teeth are moved
- Teeth feel loose as you move them
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