Conscientious brushing and flossing are important steps in making sure that your braces serve you well as long as you wear them. Normally, you should spend about two minutes brushing your teeth. With braces, you should take more time brushing, focusing on one or two teeth at a time. Using a water flosser or a floss threader with waxed dental floss will also keep your dental work in great shape.
But accidents do happen from time to time, and if your braces are damaged, you should get in touch with your orthodontist as soon as possible. Your orthodontist may want to see you right away, or may opt to wait until your next visit, depending on the damage. Until you are able get in for an appointment, here are some steps you can take.
For a damaged, bracket, coat it with dental wax to keep it from irritating your mouth. If one of your wires is broken or sticking out, you can try to push it into a position where it will not irritate your mouth or cause you pain. Again, dental wax can lessen the irritation. Do not cut the wire since you might accidentally swallow or inhale the piece. If a band comes off, save it and take it with you to your next appointment. A lost spacer may indicate that you need to have a band placed.
If you are in pain, you should rinse your mouth with warm and try an over-the-counter pain reliever.
If you are considering orthodontic work for your child or for yourself, or if your dentist has suggested that you straighten your smile, our dentist, Dr. Christopher Liang at Liang Orthodontics in city state, would love to see you for a screening and consultation. You can make an appointment by calling our office at 301-983-3132 today. We look forward to helping you find a great smile that will last a lifetime!