Accidental dental damage

Posted on: 24 April 2017

Orthodontic devices like braces can reposition crooked teeth and correct jaw misalignment. This type of dental device usually needs to be worn for at least one year to produce the desired results. Read on to learn more about this subject.

The benefits of wearing braces

There are a number of benefits to wearing braces. Firstly, braces help to straighten out crowded, crooked or protruding teeth and close any gaps between them. This can drastically improve the appearance of a person's smile and, thus, help them to feel far less self-conscious about the way that their teeth look when they talk, laugh or eat.

The repositioning of the teeth can also improve a person's oral health. Plaque and food particles can get trapped quite easily between overlapping or crooked teeth; this, in turn, can put a person at greater risk of developing decay, cavities and gum disease. It is much easier to remove food and bacterial plaque from teeth that are evenly spaced and straight.

If a person has an overbite, braces can be used to realign their jaw and eliminate some or all of the problems associated with this issue (those with severe overbites can suffer from speech impediments and jaw pain).

How to keep braces in good condition

Braces are designed to be quite robust; however, it is still possible for a person to accidentally damage them. Those who wear braces should avoid consuming hard foods, like crusty bread, raw carrots, apples and pizza crust, or very chewy foods, such as toffees, as these can break the brackets or dislodge the wires in their braces.

Additionally, if a person who has braces participates in high impact sports on a regular basis, they should also invest in a mouth guard, which will protect both their orthodontics and their teeth from damage, if they sustain a forceful blow to the face during a match or game.

How to prevent dental issues when wearing braces

Wearing braces can make a person more susceptible to dental issues, such as cavities and periodontal disease. This is because it can be very difficult to remove plaque and food from the areas in and around the components of this dental device.

As such, anyone who wears this kind of dental device needs to be extremely strict when it comes to maintaining their oral hygiene. They should brush their teeth after every single meal and make sure to floss at least once a day.

There are certain dental products which can make it easier to keep one's teeth clean whilst wearing braces. An interdental brush, for example, can be used to access and remove food that may be trapped behind the braces' wires. A water-pick can also be helpful for rinsing out trapped particles of food from behind and around the brackets.

For more information about wearing braces and maintaining your oral health, contact an orthodontics professional in your area.