If you have braces, an important part of the treatment also happens outside the office. Daily hygiene, attending check-ups, and following the orthodontist's instructions They help everything progress correctly and, above all, to maintain healthy teeth and gums during the process.
The care varies slightly depending on whether you wear braces or clear aligners. Asistencia Dental Plus We adapt them to each treatment, but there are some recommendations that are worth always keeping in mind.
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Pay special attention to hygiene.
With braces, cleaning your teeth requires a little more attention.
If you wear braces, food particles can easily get trapped around the appliance or in hard-to-reach areas. When plaque builds up, it can contribute to... Inflammation of the gums, the appearance of cavities, or stains on the enamel.
Take the time to brush your teeth properly, use fluoridated toothpaste, and clean thoroughly around your braces and along your gum line. Interdental brushes can also help you reach spaces that your regular toothbrush can't easily clean.
With aligners, hygiene is easier because you can remove them. Even so, Before putting them back in, it is important that both the teeth and the aligners are clean..
Don't skip the reviews
Teeth move gradually, and we need to make sure they're moving as planned. That's what orthodontic checkups are for.
In these appointments we monitor the progress of the treatment, check the condition of the device and make the necessary adjustments. Repeatedly delaying visits can ultimately prolong treatment or make it difficult to track.
The same applies to the instructions you receive during your appointment. If you need to use elastics, wear the aligners for a specific number of hours, or change them on a particular date, follow those guidelines. If you have any questions, ask us before making any changes on your own.
If you wear braces, be careful with very hard foods.
Wearing braces doesn't mean you have to completely change your diet, but you do need to pay attention to some foods.
Food very hard or sticky They can dislodge a bracket or damage the archwire. Often, it's not necessary to stop eating them, but simply to change how you eat them. An apple or a carrot, for example, can be cut into small pieces instead of biting into them whole.
It's also best to avoid habits like biting ice, pens, or other objects. Besides damaging the braces, these habits aren't good for your teeth either.
If you use aligners, respect the hours of use.
Clear aligners can be removed for eating, drinking, and brushing your teeth, but precisely for that reason Its correct use depends a lot on the patient..
You must wear them for the specified time and follow the prescribed sequence. When you take them off, store them in their box: leaving them wrapped in a napkin or on a table is one of the easiest ways to lose or accidentally throw them away.
Has an aligner broken, been lost, or do you notice it doesn't fit as it should? Contact the clinic. Don't move on to the next one or go back to the previous one on your own., unless we tell you otherwise.
What do I do if a bracket comes loose or the appliance bothers me?
A bracket coming loose, an archwire starting to rub, or an aligner deteriorating can happen during treatment. It's not always an emergency, but we do want to know so we can advise you on what to do and assess whether it's worthwhile to move your appointment forward.
If a bracket or archwire is causing a slight rubbing sensation, orthodontic wax can be used to temporarily protect the area.
Which We do not recommend attempting to cut, bend, or repair the appliance at home..
You may also experience some sensitivity or a feeling of pressure after an adjustment or when wearing a new aligner. This usually disappears within a few days. If the pain is severe, does not improve, significant swelling develops, or you have a wound that does not heal, please consult us.
Keep taking care of your teeth and gums
Orthodontic appointments do not replace your regular oral health care.
While you are wearing braces, we continue to monitor the condition of your teeth and gums, especially if you tend to accumulate plaque, have had cavities in the past, or have any periodontal problems.
In the end, It's not just about getting straighter teeth. We want your teeth and gums to be healthy when your orthodontic treatment is over.
And when orthodontic treatment is finished, what happens?
After removing the braces or finishing with the aligners, there is a phase that we must not neglect: the retention.
Teeth can shift again over time. Retainers help maintain the achieved position and can be fixed, removable, or a combination of both.
We'll tell you what type you need and how to use it. And if a retainer breaks, gets lost, or you notice it no longer fits properly, don't wait until your next appointment to mention it.
Taking care of your braces is also part of the treatment
Every orthodontic treatment is different, but there is one thing that doesn't change: Good hygiene, attending check-ups, and using the device correctly helps the treatment progress and avoids unnecessary problems..
If you're thinking about correcting the position of your teeth, you can consult our orthodontic treatments and learn about the different options available. During the consultation, we can study your case, answer your questions, and recommend the most suitable option.
