There’s no denying that starting orthodontic treatment requires a bit of a transition. From the foods you eat to how you clean your teeth, quite a few things in your day-to-day life will change. Fortunately, you can make your life significantly easier with the following must-have tools with braces!
An Interdental Brush
Since your metal brackets and wires can trap food particles, it’s important to dedicate some additional time to your brushing routine. If you’re having a hard time maneuvering the bristles around your braces, consider getting an interdental brush. This tool has a single brush that can fit between each bracket, effectively removing debris in the process.
An Oral Irrigator
If you aren’t a fan of traditional floss, you’ll be happy to know that there’s an alternative: an oral irrigator. While this tool can’t replace flossing entirely, it can help loosen debris and cut down on the time you spend flossing. Tip: try using it in the shower to prevent water from splashing all over your counter and mirror!
Dental Wax
Although modern braces are significantly more comfortable than they were in years past, the metal brackets and wires still have the potential to irritate the soft tissue in your mouth. Luckily, that’s where dental wax comes in! To use it, simply pinch off a small piece and place it over the sharp edge. Since the material is water-resistant, you can keep it in place until it’s time to eat, brush, or floss!
A Big Water Bottle
Drinking water is essential for your oral health. In addition to keeping you hydrated, sipping on this beverage can rinse away food particles and help prevent dry mouth. So, keep a big bottle on hand to fill up throughout the day. You can even get a “motivational” water bottle that tracks how much you’ve drank in a day!
An On-the-Go Dental Hygiene Kit
Brushing and flossing your teeth at home is easy, but what happens if you’re eating lunch at school or work or you’re going out to dinner with friends? In these cases, it’s helpful to have an on-the-go dental hygiene kit filled with travel-sized oral hygiene essentials. That way, you can easily complete your oral hygiene routine when you’re away from home.
A Braces-Friendly Cookbook
It’s true; you can’t eat hard, sticky, and crunchy foods during your orthodontic treatment. Don’t worry – there are still plenty of meals that are easy on your braces and your tastebuds. One of the best ways to discover them is with a braces-friendly cookbook!
Although it’s natural for there to be a slight learning curve, the above tools can go a long way in helping make the transition to life with braces quite seamless!
About the Practice
From traditional braces to discreet Invisalign, our talented team at Super Braces of Lawrence offers a wide range of teeth-straightening solutions. So, you can have peace of mind knowing you’ll get the beautiful results you desire. Plus, we will share all of our tips on how to make life with braces as comfortable and seamless as possible! If you’d like to learn more about navigating life with braces or you want to schedule a consultation to start your orthodontic treatment, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call (978) 794-0000.