Braces do a lot in keeping the teeth in great shape, and it is no wonder many people get them installed. Just as the procedure has become standard, so are some fundamental problems associated with it, most of which develops as a result of poor care. Below we have cited some issues you might encounter with the hardware and ways to deal with them.
Snapped Ligatures
Ligatures are the bands that hold the brackets together, and they secure the wire to the rack tightly. Sometimes, the ligatures may snap off as a result of eating. You may not even realize until after swallowing or trying to brush your teeth.
Not to worry, the snapped bands will cause no severe damage. You can call on us here at Beauty Smile to do a simple repair on your teeth. A lasting solution will be to avoid eating crunchy foods.
Poor dental hygiene
Having braces takes some navigation around your teeth, to brush or floss. The common ways you are used to won’t cut it, which is the start to poor dental hygiene. The hardware is also notorious for trapping particles of things you eat, with prolonged stay, you may develop cavities and plaques. To avoid this, invest in brace brushes, made to clean your teeth better. They get into the spaces around the wire and brackets, combined with a threader floss and mouthwash, you should be fine.
Broken Wire
Broken wires are one of the most common problems you encounter with braces. It can occur by eating hard foods, which can loosen the wire. When this happens, the cables may dig into the different areas of your mouth. The experience can be very discomforting, and you may be tempted to pull the wires out yourself. Beauty Smile recommends you avoid touching the wires altogether while setting up a visit to our office. That’s the only way to save yourself from swallowing the wires or causing more damage.
Cuts in the mouth
Brackets are metals that can sometimes leave cuts on the insides of the mouth, including lips and tongues. These body areas are delicate and susceptible to being irritated or injured. Typically brackets and wire ends are not meant to be sharp enough to leave cuts.
If you get a cut from your braces, protect the spot with dental wax before your appointment. Also, note sharp ends that might hurt you when you notice them and request the service of your orthodontist to fix the pointy brackets.
Tooth Staining
Brace brackets are glued to the teeth and left for a while to get your teeth into the proper position. The frames often leave stains on the fronts where your braces are installed. They may appear like squares on the center of the teeth.
If you wish to avoid stains, reduce your soda, coffee, and enamel darkening beverage intake. When drinking them, you can use a straw that will keep the drinks from your teeth’s front.
In summary, braces are not without their flaws when you are not careful with them. You can avoid these problems with good aftercare and critical lifestyle changes.
For more information on how Beauty Smile Orthodontics can help you with your brighter smile for a brighter future, contact us today.