Common Issues While Wearing Braces

LANGLEY, British Columbia - March 9, 2014 - PRLog -- For braces patients, there are already some small adjustments to be made to their everyday lives to accommodate the new appliances. When you first have your braces put on, your orthodontist will outline proper care and treatment of them to make your life wearing them as pleasant as possible. But, during the course of your orthodontic treatment, some issues may arise.

"Sometimes there are unforeseen things that can happen while we are wearing braces," says Dr. Aly Kanani, a Langley orthodontist. "I always encourage my patients to listen closely and follow all care instructions and guidelines to avoid unnecessary issues. But there are still some common issues I see."

Braces can play an important role in keeping our mouths healthy. But, there are also some side effects to keep in mind. The first is soreness. This will especially be experienced in the first few days after the braces are placed on, and as the teeth are moved to their proper locations, there may be sensitivity and soreness. This is a normal side effect that most patients experience and should not be cause for concern. Patients can take an over the counter pain medication to lessen any pain they may feel.

The inside of a patient's mouth may also feel a bit sensitive in the first few days of wear. Not only do your teeth need to get used to the braces, but so do your tongue, lips and cheeks. The braces may feel rough on them for a few days, so apply some orthodontic wax to help minimize any sensitivity.

"When you have our braces put on, your orthodontist will outline foods you should avoid," says Dr. Kanani, who is also a certified Invisalign provider. "There is a reason for this – sticky and hard foods can damage your braces, leading to loose brackets and bands and broken wires."

If you should experience any of these, there are some things you can do to correct the issue until you can be seen by your orthodontist. For loose brackets, apply orthodontic wax to the bracket. Loose bands will need to be replaced by your orthodontist, but try to save the band. For protruding or broken wires, you can use the end of a pencil to try to push the wire against your tooth to ease any discomfort. To keep it from poking into your mouth, apply some wax to the tip.

If you should develop a sore in your mouth, try rinsing with warm salt water or ask your dentist about special mouth rinses that can help with the healing and pain.

Some patients who wear braces (http://langleyorthodontics.com/what.htm) may fail to properly care for their teeth during treatment, leading to decay issues that will need to be corrected. Because the braces create many nooks and crannies, food and drink particles can get trapped in them, leading to damage to the teeth. Always carefully brush and floss your teeth after eating and drinking, and avoid sugary foods and drinks.

One of the most important steps is to always carefully listen to your orthodontist. He or she will explain proper care procedures to ensure you have the best, and least painful, experience possible. Orthodontic treatment can come with a few hassles here and there, but the reward at the end – a beautiful, straight smile – is well worth it.

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