Advice for Those Starting Treatment with Braces
Congratulations! If you are reading this article, you have probably started orthodontic treatment, which will provide you with both better oral and dental health and a more beautiful smile aesthetic. Let’s take a closer look at the rules for brushing braces.
I kindly ask you to read this article carefully to guide you through your treatment and to remind you of some of the points you need to pay attention to.
There are 3 main rules regarding orthodontic treatment:
- In order to prevent the metal parts we bond on the teeth, called brackets, from breaking off from the teeth, it is necessary to stay away from FORBIDDEN FOODS.
- After every meal and before going to bed at night, TEETH SHOULD BE BRUSHED. Brushing should take approximately 4 minutes and should continue until the wires are completely shiny. During your treatment, you should also use an “interdental brush” in addition to the “orthodontic toothbrush“. Inadequate tooth brushing during the treatment process can cause IRREVERSIBLE STAINS on the teeth and SWELLING OF THE GUMS.
- You need to be a little patient during the ADAPTATION PERIOD, which can usually last 1 week.
Forbidden Foods
- NUTS (all nuts with or without shell),
- POPCORN,
- HARD COOKIES AND CRACKERS,
- HARD CANDIES, HARD CHOCOLATES,
- Foods such as OLIVES, PLUMS, DATES, APRICOTS, CHERRIES, etc. with seeds inside can be eaten by removing the seeds outside the mouth,
- COLA, SODA AND SIMILAR SUGAR AND ACIDIC DRINKS,
- CHEWING GUM,
- Foods such as APPLE, PEAR, CARROT, WRAP should not be eaten by biting.
Sugary foods will not cause your brackets to break, but they will damage your teeth. You can eat sugary foods occasionally, but you should brush them immediately. All acidic drinks such as Cola, Soda, Fanta, etc. will damage your teeth even more. Therefore, you should stay away from acidic drinks during your treatment.
Brushing Your Teeth
If your teeth and gums are clean and healthy, your teeth will move more quickly and effectively. However, since you have braces, you will need to put a little more time and attention into your oral care.
When Should I Brush?
During orthodontic treatment, you should brush your teeth morning, night and after every meal. It is also necessary to clean your teeth after every meal and remove food stuck between your braces. If you cannot do this, try to remove food particles by rinsing your mouth with water. It may also be useful to carry a travel toothbrush or interdental brush with you.
What Should I Do If My Gums Bleed?
Pay special attention to the gum line when brushing your teeth, as this area is often neglected. If food builds up in your gums, they can become tender and swollen, which can lead to bleeding. This is a sign that your teeth and gums are not being properly cared for. Bleeding and swollen gums can be uncomfortable, but with regular care, this will improve.
Watch Out for Plaque Accumulation!
Plaque is a sticky white substance made up of bacteria and food particles. It can build up around your teeth and braces. If left untreated, plaque and trapped food can cause swelling of the gums, bad breath, permanent stains, tartar, and cavities. Plaque can also turn your teeth yellow. You need to brush your teeth frequently to avoid plaque. Also, proper brushing is important – each brushing should last at least 4-5 minutes. Poor brushing can leave permanent white spots on your teeth.
Use of Orthodontic Toothbrush
Orthodontic toothbrushes should be used by all our patients who are undergoing orthodontic treatment with braces. Brushing should be done with toothpaste after every meal, in the morning and before going to bed at night. First, the teeth and brackets are brushed with a round brushing motion, then the bottom and top of the brackets, the chewing surfaces of the teeth and the inner surfaces facing the tongue are brushed carefully. You can watch the brushing process in a more explanatory way in the video below:
Using an Interdental Brush
It is important for patients undergoing orthodontic treatment to use an interdental brush at least twice a day. After brushing your teeth with an orthodontic brush, we need to use the interdental brush so that there is no plaque left around each bracket.
Use of Orthodontic Wax
Orthodontic patient wax is used when braces cause wounds on the cheeks and lips. If you have a wound on your cheek or lip at any stage of the treatment, you can take a small round piece of the wax and stick it on the metal (bracket or wire) that corresponds to the wound.
Adaptation Period
The First Days
Be prepared for the discomfort that braces will cause on the first day. Many patients wonder if braces hurt. The answer is actually simple: This varies greatly from patient to patient. Since each individual has a different pain threshold, the pain they feel from braces can also vary. But generally, you will not feel any pain after braces are worn. You may feel some minor discomfort, but you will not feel any real pain. This sensitivity is mild and will disappear within a few days. If the pain bothers you, you can consult your doctor and use a painkiller.
Your teeth may be sensitive for the first few days or so, so it is best to stick to soft foods and cold drinks. Cold drinks also have the added benefit of soothing the sensitivity and pain in your mouth.
Once you get used to your braces, you can eat most of your favorite foods again. However, you should follow the rules we covered above in the Forbidden Foods section. You should also avoid biting directly into foods like apples, carrots, and corn; instead, cut them into small pieces and chew them with your back teeth.
If you have an emergency, I recommend that you review the Orthodontic Emergencies page. If you think your emergency is serious, consult your doctor.
You can also review the Orthodontic Emergency Recommendations page prepared by the Turkish Orthodontic Association for patients.
Salt Water Gargle
Use a saltwater gargle and orthodontic wax. During your first week with braces, you may experience some irritation on the inside of your lips and cheeks. After a while, your mouth will get used to it and the brackets and wires will stop being uncomfortable. During the adaptation period, you can relieve this discomfort by gargling with saltwater. Add a teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water, rinse your mouth and spit it out. You can do this several times a day. If this is not enough, you can cover the bothersome wires with orthodontic wax.
Slight Mobility of Teeth
Don’t panic if you feel your teeth wobbling slightly. This may concern you, but don’t worry, your teeth will not fall out! In fact, this is completely normal. You feel your teeth wobbling because they are building and breaking down the bone around them in order to move into their new position.
Don’t Forget Your Mouth Guard
If you are involved in sports, it is very important to wear a mouth guard while you are doing sports with braces. This will prevent injuries to your mouth from being caused by impacts to your face and will prevent damage to your braces. It will also protect your braces and prevent your treatment from being delayed.
Focus on Results!
When you first get your braces, they can feel a bit strange in your mouth. Your tongue and lips may have a hard time getting used to the brackets and wires. You may also feel like your braces are very noticeable. However, you will soon get used to them and will hardly notice them.
