10 Tips for Caring for your Braces

Wearing braces can be a nervous experience for many. However, more people are using Orthodontic treatment to correct their teeth than you may realise, so you can be sure that people will notice your smile, and not your braces. Caring for your braces doesn’t have to be hard, just by following these 10 tips you can ensure that you keep your mouth healthy and free of any problems.

1. Make sure you brush your teeth and braces after you eat

Regular brushing is the best method for a healthy mouth. Remember to remove all removable parts of the braces beforehand, including elastics, however don’t mess with the wires. Ensure you brush for at least two minutes, and that you brush from top to bottom and along the wires. One of the best practices is to clean your teeth half an hour after each meal.

2. Floss before you brush

Flossing can remove any errant bits of food from between your teeth, and clean between both your teeth and braces. Make sure you get between the wires and brackets of your braces, and that you floss every tooth – top to bottom, front to back!

3. Use mouthwash

Mouthwash can clean your mouth, making it both cleaner and more fresh. For best results, make sure you get a mouthwash that removes plaque.

4. Haven’t got a toothbrush?

If you find yourself without a toothbrush, thoroughly wash your mouth with water and brush your teeth as soon as you are able.

5. Limit yourself to foods that require little chewing

When you first get braces, your mouth can be sensitive. For the first couple of days, you should try and stick to softer foods so you don’t cause any damage. Foods such as soup or mashed potatoes are ideal.

6. Be careful when eating hard foods

Take extra care eating harder foods, as they can cause damage to your braces. Foods such as apples, candies and nuts should be consumed with care. You should also take care that you don’t chew on hard items such as pens and pencils.

7. Take care with sticky foods

Foods such as caramel, peanut butter and various sweets could cause damage to your braces. They can do this by pulling the wires off when you’re eating.

8. Avoid food and drink that could cause discolouration

Any food or drink that could stain your teeth can also stain your braces. Try and avoid things like tea and coffee.

9. Minimise your sugar intake

Avoiding sugary foods and drinks can do wonders for the health of your mouth, especially when you have braces which sugary foods and drinks can get caught in, and allow the sugar to start damaging your teeth. Things like sweets, cola and even drinks like squash contains sugars, and by minimising your intake of these items your mouth becomes much healthier.

10. Raise any problems with your dentist

Your dentist will be able to help you with any problems you may encounter, so make sure you visit them regularly and bring up any problems. If you experience any pains after the first couple of days or you lose or break your braces, make sure you contact your dentist / orthodontist as soon as possible.

Thank you for reading through our guide to caring for your braces. If you’re interested in having Orthodontic treatment, you should talk to your local Midlands Smile Centres dentist about whether it’s right for you. Please find some FAQs below.

FAQs

Q:

Since having my braces, I’ve had a very dry mouth, how can I stop this?

A:

Make sure you drink plenty of water. Saliva is very important for your mouth, as it protects against germs and can also help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Q:

Am I able to chew gum when I’m wearing my braces?

A:

It’s best to avoid chewing gum when you have braces. Chewing gum can stick to your braces, and cause damage with the chewing motion.

Q: 

I’m nervous about having Orthodontic treatment, is there any help I can get?

A: 

Your dentist can talk you through the procedure and the steps involved in giving you a straight smile, and help you through any problems you may have with braces.

Q:

I’m experiencing swelling around my mouth after having my braces, is this normal?

A:

Swelling of the cheeks and lips is perfectly normal, and should disappear after a couple of days. If you experience these for longer, or if you have any other problems you should talk to your dentist.

Q:

I want to have invisible braces, but I was wondering whether they're easier to clean?

A:

Invisalign clear aligners are very easy to clean, as they are removable. This means you can remove them before you eat so you don’t have to clean them after every meal. Just make sure you give your teeth a thorough clean before you put your braces back on.

Help My Teeth are Loose!

We recently came across this question

Question
“MSC
Over the last decade my teeth have started to become loose. My teeth have also started to feel uncomfortable when I eat harder foods. Is there anything you can suggest which would help stop this, or any way you can help stabilise them?”

We decided to share the advice we gave, it may help someone else who has found themselves in this position, but is too frightened or embarrassed to ask

Answer
Obviously the best and first thing anyone with dental problems should do is clean their teeth thoroughly, including using inter dental brushes, floss and mouth wash, as food trapped between teeth can cause dental problems. If the problem persists or has progressed to the point where teeth have become loose, you should contact a dentist without delay. Teeth can become loose for a number of reasons, other times it is a result of sudden physical trauma, such as a sporting accident, sometimes it results from more gradual trauma such as tooth grinding, in some cases it is trauma to the jaw which has resulted in gradual or sudden bone loss. Most commonly it is caused by periodontal disease, bacteria which results from plaque. Due to there being so many different reasons teeth can become loose, it’s important to have a dentist assess the cause of the damage and recommend a treatment plan.

The good news in that in many cases, loose teeth can be treated and restored to a good level of dental health. The ways this is achieved vary, for example if the loss of tooth security has been caused by grinding, the dentist may decide all you need is a bite guard. This is a relatively inexpensive treatment and can resolve mild problems. If the problem has progressed further, the dentist might make a bite adjustment, by either replacing crowns, grinding fillings or teeth. This treatment is call an occlusal adjustment. A bite guard is also often used in conjunction with this treatment.

If a number of teeth have become loose or a single tooth has become very loose, a dental splint may be applied. Dental splints are in essence similar to braces, but don’t encase the entire set of lower, or upper teeth. In some cases the splints may be used to stabilise the teeth and then removed, but in other cases crowns may be used in combination with the splints as a permanent stabiliser.

Clear Aligners or Fixed Retainers?

It is also possible to use orthodontic braces to stabilise teeth. This would normally only be done where a patient has another reason for wanting braces, such as the desire to improve their smile or make it easier to clean their teeth. The cause of the underlying problem can make treatment with braces difficult or unsuitable, which only a dentist will be able to assess. A dentist will also be able to help you select the correct brace type, as both treatment and lifestyle can impact the brace which will best suit you. We find most patients are very glad to have a dentist help them select a brace, as deciding between clear aligners or fixed retainers can be, daunting, confusing or altogether off putting when faced alone.

Please don’t worry about your teeth any more, come and see one of our dental specialist, who will be more than happen to help you.

Regards

Kelly
"

If you are worried about loose teeth, please don't delay book an appointment with MSC today. We have extended our opening hours, so one of our dental practices it probably able to help you out right now. Alternatively you may find it easier to send us a message via our website.

http://midlandssmilecentres.co.uk/

Travelling abroad for Dental Implants?

Is travelling abroad to receive Dental Implants wise?

Dental tourism is undoubtedly on the increase and swiftly becoming big business as many people are opting to have their dental treatments carried abroad. The main factor contributing to this increase is price, which make treatment abroad very alluring. Whilst treatments outside the UK may be charged at a small fraction of the price that an experienced UK Dental Implant specialist would charge, seeking treatment abroad could be considered an unwise decision. Allow us to explain why:

Whilst not everybody who arrives home after undergoing dental treatments in countries such as Bulgaria, Mexico, Poland, Hungary or Thailand may develop issues or problems, many people do so, but why?

Lack of experience

Placing implants itself is very different from any other form of tooth replacement. It requires a skilled surgical procedure. That’s just for starters. Other contributing factors are a person’s medical history - including previous Oral health - and their lifestyle – which is scrutinised allowing a personal treatment plan to be carried out. This requires training and experience. Whilst there is no evidence confirming that foreign dentists aren’t qualified to carry out treatments in their own countries, Dentists from the UK who specialise in Dental Implants have to complete years of intense training to achieve the high standards expected of them. This means that they are in a better position to anticipate any issues or problems before they materialize.

Lack of modern facilities

Clinics abroad, more so in developing countries, tend to have very basic facilities and use old fashioned equipment. This contributes to why they manage to keep their costs so low. Here in Birmingham and throughout the UK, both NHS and private clinics have spent time and money to ensure that they have the most up-to date technology and facilities, giving the Implant every opportunity of success. 

Additional charges

The language barrier alone is an issue when negotiating good treatment. The other problem faced is that, should something go wrong with the treatment, there often isn’t an alternative. This results in additional charges back in the UK, correcting the treatment, on top of what you have already paid.

Evidently travelling abroad to receive dental treatment shouldn’t just be about saving you money. You should also weigh up and examine all of the risks involved - before jumping on that plane.

If you are considering a Dental Implant, Midland Smile Centres have been carrying out the procedure for over 28 years. The first step is to make an appointment with us to evaluate whether a dental implant is the best treatment for you. We will check the health of your gums, your jaw integrity and your oral health generally, to ensure that your jaw and gums are healthy and strong enough to take implants successfully. We pride ourselves on being one of the most experienced Dental Implant practices in Birmingham.