Congratulations! Now that you have started orthodontic treatment and got your braces on, you are one step closer to the beautiful, confident smile that you deserve! However, now that you have your braces, it is very important to care for them so that you can get the most out of your orthodontic treatment plan and walk away with a happy and healthy smile. Here are some tips from Dr. Bob Bryan and the team at Lehigh Valley Orthodontics on how to maximize braces treatment near Lehigh County, PA.
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Always brush your teeth and braces! When it comes to braces, there is no such thing as over brushing. While it sometimes might seem a little excessive, there are always more places which could use a good brushing. Braces create many small pockets between your teeth that didn’t exist before, which can cause food to easily get stuck in there. If the food is not taken care of it can build up and cause various problems such as tooth decay, bad breath, and gingivitis. Dr. Bob Bryan suggests that you brush your teeth when you wake up, after big meals, before bed, and sometimes after smaller snacks as well to get rid of as much food and germs as possible.
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Don’t forget to floss as well. Just as important as it is to brush your teeth, it is equally important to floss your teeth and braces after every time you eat. Floss is often left out of people’s dental routine but it is extremely important as without it food can build up and possibly lead to tooth decay, gum disease, or cavities. Using floss will leave your teeth feeling cleaner and make them healthier both during and after your braces. When having braces, it is extremely important to find the floss that works best for you. For many regular floss works just fine however things such as floss threaders or Superfloss can be more beneficial for some. Ask someone from the Lehigh Valley Orthodontics team or Dr. Bob Bryan which he recommends for you.
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Stay away from some specific foods. Yes, it is true that while having braces there are some foods you should avoid. Foods that are extremely sticky, hard, or crunchy should be avoided because they can cause broken brackets and wires, both of which can hurt your mouth and even extend your orthodontic treatment time. Even though it’s difficult to give up some of your favorite foods for your braces, doing so will bring about a shorter orthodontic treatment time and you will be eating your favorite foods with your new beautiful smile in no time.
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Follow all of Dr. Bob Bryan’s instructions. When it comes to shifting your teeth, rubber bands and other types of attachments are a crucial part of the process. If Dr.Bob Bryan suggests rubber bands or any other type of attachment, you should abide. They will not not only speed up the process but also allow for a healthier and happier smile.
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Inform Dr.Bob Bryan right away if there are any problems. Sometime something as small as a loose bracket can cause pain and setbacks to your orthodontic treatment. Make sure to contact Lehigh Valley Orthodontics as soon as possible to schedule an appointment and fix the problem. The sooner it is fixed, the less pain you are in and the shorter amount of time—if any—is added onto your plan.
Dr. Bob Bryan wants to make sure you maximize the most out of your braces and walking away feeling confident and happy with your new, bright smile. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Bob Bryan and the team at Lehigh Valley Orthodontics near Lehigh County, PA by giving us a call at 610-435-2788 to schedule an appointment or to begin treatment today!
