If you want the best orthodontic experience possible, then it’s best to have a good relationship with your braces. If you treat your appliance right, it will treat you right. So, to help you keep your braces in tip-top shape, our Schouten Orthodontics team recommends that you do the following things:
-Floss: Flossing is extremely important, especially because it deeply cleans your smile and prevents gum disease. So, please make sure to floss at least once a day. However, we understand that flossing might be difficult with braces, so if you would like to make flossing easier, talk to your orthodontist about floss threaders.
-Avoid eating sticky or hard foods: Sticky and hard foods can easily break your brackets and wires, which is why it’s best to avoid eating them altogether. Some common products that tend to break the appliance are caramel, toffee, taffy, and gummy candies.
-Chew with your back teeth: If you chew with your back teeth, there is a chance that your orthodontic appliance will stay in tip-top shape. Biting into foods, like hamburgers and apples, can harm the front part of the appliance. So, we recommend cutting the hard foods into small pieces and popping them into the back of your mouth to chew.
-Wear rubber bands and headgear: If you need to wear rubber bands, headgear, or other orthodontic appliances, it’s best to wear them at the recommended times. We do understand that this might be annoying, but if you refuse to wear them, your treatment time could be increased by months.
Doing these things will help you have the good relationship you need with your braces. To find out more, please call our office at 801.491.9372 and talk to your orthodontist, Dr. John R. Schouten, or a member of our friendly team. We are happy to help you learn more about braces in Springville, Utah, and we look forward to hearing from you!
