New to Braces? Avoid Doing These Things.
Getting braces for the first time can be exciting, as it's the first step towards achieving a gorgeous new smile that will last you a lifetime. But as any orthodontic veteran knows, it also takes a lot of getting used to. Wearing braces will require a number of changes to your lifestyle, and it can often be hard for new patients to adjust to the transition. So, as your dedicated orthodontist in Monticello and Champaign, IL, we'd like to outline a few of the most important things to avoid when you first get braces.
What to Avoid After Getting Braces
If you've recently started treatment with orthodontic braces, you've likely already come to realize how big of an adjustment it is. Life with braces can take time to get accustomed to, and especially for brand new patients, it can be hard to keep track of all the new changes and requirements. So to help ease your transition into orthodontic treatment, we've compiled a few of the most important things to avoid doing with braces:
- Certain Foods: First things first – wearing braces will require some changes to your diet. Any foods that are sticky, gooey, crunchy, hard, or chock-full of sugar run the risk of damaging your brackets, archwires, and teeth, so you'll need to avoid them during the course of your treatment.
- Brushing Too Hard: Maintaining oral hygiene with braces also requires a number of changes. You'll want to avoid brushing too hard against your brackets, and you'll need to be especially careful not to hit your braces with the back of your toothbrush.
- Exercise Without a Mouthguard: While some patient-athletes fear otherwise, it's perfectly acceptable to practice and play sports while wearing braces. The only caveat is that you'll need to wear a custom-made athletic mouthguard anytime you participate in sports or exercise, as this helps to prevent damage to your teeth and braces.
- Loose or Broken Brackets: Taking care of your braces is critical to successful treatment, but if any part of your appliances ever does get loose or break off, it's critical to contact our office immediately to schedule a repair appointment.
Contact Your Monticello, IL Orthodontist
We hope these tips make it a little easier to adjust to life with braces, and if you still want more advice on making the transition, we're happy to help. Contact us today with any questions you may have about living with braces or the orthodontic treatment process in general. We look forward to hearing from you, and no matter where you are in your treatment process, we're excited to help you achieve your dream smile!