The use of the appliance is an orthodontic treatment that requires care and maintenance. To be satisfied you should follow the rules of good oral hygiene, eat the right foods to avoid damaging the device or irritating the teeth, and schedule regular visits with the orthodontist, who will make sure that you are on your way to a perfect smile.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Feel Comfortable
Step 1. Discuss with your orthodontist about colored braces elastics
You can customize the device using colored bands and which are available in a wide range of colors. Your doctor can provide them and you can get creative with cheerful combinations or a custom pattern that can become your signature look.
- Colored rubber bands help you feel more comfortable with the appliance and accept it instead of hating it. By wearing them, you can show that you are not intimidated or ashamed of the device and instead want to show off the color every time you laugh, eat or smile.
- Try to consider the appliance as a fashion accessory and remember that after using it you will have a perfect smile.
Step 2. Wait at least a week before kissing someone
When you first put your braces on, your mouth is likely to be sore and sore. Use dental wax to prevent wires and brackets from scratching the mucous membranes of the mouth and stick to a good oral hygiene routine to aid recovery. it takes about a week for the mouth to heal well enough to kiss someone.
It is not easy to kiss a person when you are wearing braces, so keep your lips closed at first to see if the mouth is still too sensitive to resist the pressure. When you feel comfortable doing this, switch to gentle open mouth kisses. Proceed gradually and do not exert unnecessary pressure, as the mucous membranes may still be suffering after insertion of the orthodontic device
Step 3. Practice smiling in the mirror
Get used to your new look by watching yourself smile and taking note of how you look with the device. Train the facial muscles with a simple smile, bring the corners of the mouth up to show the appliance; afterwards, you can move on to a more natural gesture by relaxing the corners of your lips and smiling just like you always have.
Alternatively, you can "smile" with your eyes. Squeezing them lightly as if you were smiling with your lips shows the interlocutor a sincere and natural appreciation. Research has shown that looking at pictures of people smiling with their eyes helps you to reproduce the same type of expression effectively
Step 4. Take advantage of positive affirmations
If you are having a hard time feeling happy and accepting braces, try saying five to ten positive sentences out loud every day to yourself. These statements take advantage of the concept that "you are who you think you are", allowing you to verbally express positive thoughts and manifest them throughout the day. This is an effective method of self-improvement, as it raises the level of good mood hormones and encourages a supportive attitude.
Try to formulate these sentences with the terms "I can", "I am" or "I will do". For example, you can say: "Today I am full of energy and overflowing with joy" or "I am powerful and indestructible", "I can smile and be happy with my device", "Today I will smile to at least five people and show my device"
Step 5. Avoid whitening products
While you may be tempted not to use toothpaste and floss and opt for whitening solutions instead, remember that applying these products while wearing braces can damage the threads and brackets. The teeth can take on different shades of color and will not look very nice once the orthodontic device is removed.
Wait until your braces are removed before applying whitening strips, mouthwashes or toothpastes that contain whitening active ingredients. If home remedies do not bring the desired results, you can also undergo professional treatment at the dentist's office
Step 6. Use a mouthguard when playing a sport or when you are physically active
Your doctor can provide you with personalized protection to protect your device while you are doing sports or strenuous exercise.
If you play a wind instrument, you may encounter difficulties. Use dental wax or rinse the oral cavity with salt water to promote healing and keep the mucous membranes moist; in this way, it is easier to play the musical instrument even with the orthodontic device
Method 2 of 3: Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Step 1. Rinse your mouth with warm salted water once a day
As soon as the braces are applied, the teeth are sore and sore for several days or even a week; the lips, cheeks, and mouth may become sensitive or sore as they get used to the presence of the metal. You can soothe the discomfort with daily rinses of warm salt water; this "grandmother's remedy" is perfect for eliminating bacteria from the oral cavity and minimizing inflammation.
- Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Gargle and move the solution into your mouth for a few minutes in the morning, before starting the day or before going to bed; do not swallow the saline solution as it may cause stomach pain.
- You can also add half a tablespoon of baking soda and mix it with the salt water until it dissolves completely; this substance protects the oral cavity from acids and helps remineralize the teeth.
Step 2. Ask the orthodontist for dental wax
Alternatively, you can buy it at the pharmacy; you have to apply it over the elements of the appliance to create a barrier between the metal and the lips. It helps you manage pain or irritation as the mucous membranes get used to the presence of the device.
Step 3. Brush your teeth after each meal
This also means after the "midnight snack" or after having consumed a snack purchased at the vending machine. Food particles can get trapped in the appliance after each meal, the longer they stay in the mouth, the greater the risk of developing dental problems. It is important to be diligent and consistent with oral hygiene to avoid stains, infections and tooth decay.
Try to brush your teeth for at least two minutes after eating anything to remove any residue and keep the braces clean
Step 4. Use a soft-bristled, rounded-tipped toothbrush
It is likely that you will need to replace it often, since contact with the appliance causes it to wear out quickly; you can also consider buying an electric model as it effectively cleans your teeth. Your orthodontist may recommend a water jet that easily removes any food particles stuck to the parts of the appliance.
- Use a fluoride toothpaste. Your doctor may also recommend a mouthwash that contains this substance and that you need to use once a day as an integral part of dental hygiene.
- Rinse your mouth with water before brushing your teeth to loosen any particles stuck in the brackets; you can consider an interdental brush designed specifically to slip under the threads of the device, remove plaque and other deposits.
- Brush your teeth for at least two minutes, taking care to treat the gum line of each and clean the portions above and below the brackets. Start from the gum line, hold the toothbrush head at 45 ° and make small circular movements; afterwards, clean the brackets by tilting the brush downwards in relation to them. Complete the procedure by taking care of the upper portion of the brackets; to do this, keep the toothbrush head tilted upwards and make small circular movements.
- You can use an electric toothbrush for general cleaning and a soft-bristled, small-headed manual toothbrush (such as those for children) for hard-to-reach areas.
- Rinse your mouth with water to remove the toothpaste; then use a mouthwash without bleaching agents.
- Check that you have brushed your teeth and braces well, the latter should be shiny; the dull metal indicates that it is still covered with food and / or bacteria.
Step 5. Use a thread needle
Dental floss used at least once a day is another essential element for good oral hygiene. Unfortunately, the presence of the orthodontic appliance complicates things a bit, as you have to pass the wire between the brackets and the metal rods; to simplify the process you can use a threading needle or a thread tension fork. You can buy both at the pharmacy or ask your dentist for samples.
- Use waxed floss instead of regular floss because it flows better between teeth and is less likely to get stuck in the braces. The thread passing needle allows you to insert the thread into the eye and then pass it under the appliance to reach the teeth more easily.
- Always clean the area below the gum line with great care. It takes some practice to get good at using the wire with the appliance, but be patient and take your time; apply gentle pressure as you run the floss, not forgetting to scrub the front and back of the teeth. Remember that it is normal for the gums to bleed a little during this operation, which means they are slightly inflamed.
- If there is enough space between your teeth, you can use a pipe cleaner.
Step 6. Fix any loose tie rods or rubber bands at home
These elements can occasionally become loose. In most cases, you can carefully push the tie rod under the metal arch, so that it does not prick the mucous membranes; use the clean eraser of a pencil to push the thread until it slips under the arch. If you continue to feel irritation, you can also apply dental wax or a wet cotton ball.
If the tie continues to bother you, make a check-up appointment with the orthodontist; you should call them immediately if you notice any broken or damaged brackets or tie rods, so that they can be repaired as soon as possible
Step 7. Take care of your lips
They can become dry due to irritation of the oral cavity, so try to soothe them by applying a lip balm regularly throughout the day; do not lick them when they are dry because it will only make the situation worse.
Apply the conditioner before and after your orthodontist appointments, as lips crack when you keep your mouth open for a long time
Method 3 of 3: Eating with the Appliance
Step 1. Start with simple chew foods
When you first put the appliance on, you should avoid irritating your mouth by consuming softer foods. During the first week, eat a diet of mashed potatoes, apples, smoothies, soft noodles, and soup; you can also consume soft cheeses, eggs, fruits like bananas and fruit milkshakes.
Over time you should be able to eat the foods you've always enjoyed, but be careful with hard or sticky ones that can damage the appliance or stick to it
Step 2. Avoid hard, chewy or crunchy foods
Chewing on something hard or crunchy can break some brackets or damage the tie rods. Sticky or rubbery products are difficult to detach from the orthodontic device and teeth even after using the toothbrush and floss several times. All this favors the development of infections, oral problems and even stains that are difficult to remove once the appliance has been removed.
- Don't eat hard, crunchy products like candy, ice, nuts, potato chips, jerky, popcorn, and crunchy peanuts.
- Stay away from chewy foods like chewing gum, bagels, granola, hard or spongy sandwiches.
- You should remove the corn from the cob before eating it and peel the meat off the bone.
- Over time you can introduce some hard food into your diet, preferably fruit and vegetables such as apples, carrots or cucumbers; cut the vegetables into small chunks before eating them to avoid damaging the appliance.
Step 3. Limit products rich in sugar, artificial flavors and colors
While you may be tempted to stick to a diet of soft treats like ice cream, puddings, jellies, and hot chocolate, don't indulge in too many gluttony. Excess sugar can trigger dental problems, such as tooth decay, which are very difficult to treat with braces.
Minimize products that cause tooth decay and indulge in sweets on an occasional basis; always brush your teeth very carefully after consuming products rich in sugars, artificial flavors and colors to avoid prolonged contact
Step 4. Stop the habit of chewing on feathers or biting your nails
If you tend to engage in these unconscious behaviors, try to control them. Chewing objects unnecessarily damages the orthodontic device and increases the risk that hard-to-extract foreign material gets stuck between the braces.
