Ceramic braces are the ideal orthodontic treatment for those who want to improve their smile but with something less conspicuous than traditional metal braces. However, similar to other types of braces, correct maintenance is the key to the long-term effectiveness of ceramic braces. This is why it is important to understand how to take care of braces properly to ensure they will serve you well and provide the treatment you require.
The Importance of Proper Maintenance
Our ceramic braces Birmingham office has listed the reasons on why you should take good care of it. Here are just a few.
1. To keep them clean and bright
Ceramic braces are similar to metal braces, but they use clear or tooth-coloured brackets instead of grey or silver, and they’re also smoother with rounded edges meaning they lie flatter against your teeth making them more comfortable, less bulky and less noticeable. If you don’t look after them on a regular basis, your ceramic braces can become stained or discoloured. Proper care is therefore essential if you want to maintain the aesthetic appearance of your braces.
2. To ensure their longevity
Consistent maintenance of your adult ceramic braces is also crucial to ensure they will last a long time. Although braces are renowned for their durability, they can still break or be affected by tooth decay. If this happens, it could delay your progress and prolong your treatment.
3. To prevent oral health issues
Perhaps the most important reason why you should maintain your ceramic braces is to ensure you will always enjoy good oral health. As you may know, food can get stuck in the braces causing bad breath, tooth decay and many other oral health issues. Keeping your braces clean will help protect you from such problems.
5 Simple Ways to Maintain and Care for Your Ceramic Braces
Now that you understand the importance of keeping your ceramic braces in good condition, here are some simple and practical ways to clean and maintain them:
a. Brush your teeth after every meal
Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is strongly recommended if you want to keep your teeth and gums healthy, regardless of whether you’re a brace-wearer. However, if you are wearing ceramic braces, you must brush your teeth even more frequently in order to eliminate any food debris that might have got stuck in your braces while eating, in turn preventing staining and reducing your risk of tooth decay and other oral health issues.
Of course, if you are always on the go, keeping your teeth and braces clean can be quite a challenge. Fortunately, you can now buy small travel kits containing a toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss so you will have everything you need to keep your teeth and braces in tip-top shape wherever you might be.
b. Floss and rinse your teeth
Flossing and rinsing are also good oral health habits you should cultivate, especially if you wear ceramic braces. This will help you clean all those hard-to-reach areas and eliminate small bits of food and plaque that can accumulate throughout the day. For best results, we would recommend using a water flosser.
c. Avoid food and drinks that can leave stains
Food and drink that have dark and intense colours such as tomatoes, coffee and wine, can often leave stains on ceramic braces. As a result, you should try to avoid them as much as possible throughout your treatment. If you find this difficult, we recommend rinsing or brushing your teeth immediately after consumption.
Similarly, you should avoid hard and sticky foods such as apples, peanut butter and chewing gum as they can cause the wires and bands of your braces to come lose or even break. It is also advisable to stop chewing on pens and other hard objects to avoid damaging your braces.
D. Stop smoking
Smoking is terrible for your health and overall wellbeing. As well as staining your teeth, smoking can also stain your ceramic braces and elastic ligatures. To top it all off, this type of staining is hard to remove. If you smoke cigarettes or other tobacco products, it would be wise to ditch the habit before undergoing any orthodontic treatment.
e. Don’t miss any of your orthodontic appointments
Besides teaching you how to take care of your braces properly, your orthodontist will provide you with the adjustments or replacements you need to help you achieve a beautiful smile. For this reason, it is imperative that you don’t miss any of your scheduled appointments.
Furthermore, you should contact your orthodontist if you experience any discomfort while wearing your ceramic braces. Don’t try to find a solution on your own as this may only exacerbate the problem. Remember, your orthodontist is here to help, so do not hesitate to let them know if you are having any issues with your braces.
Always Keep Your Ceramic Braces in Good Condition
Keeping your ceramic braces clean and in good condition is essential if you want to ensure their long-term effectiveness. This will also help protect you from oral health issues such as tooth decay and bad breath. For this reason, in order to achieve a successful treatment outcome, you need to understand how to care for your braces properly. By following the guidance outlined above, you will be able to keep your ceramic braces in the best condition possible.
At Orthodontics For You, we offer outstanding orthodontic care for all of our patients and at reasonable prices. If you are considering having ceramic braces fitted, we will be happy to answer any questions you might have. Please get in touch with us today or click here to register for your complimentary consultation.