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There are many reasons to get braces, and like braces, there are also many reasons to get tooth decay. In fact, your teeth are more vulnerable to cavities and other oral health problems when wearing braces and having poor oral hygiene habits. Additionally, some eye diseases like glaucoma and eye lymphoma are associated with teeth issues such as mercury filling, decay, and gum disease. That is why medical professionals like eye doctors and dental health experts are crucial in maintaining overall health. Keep reading to know the reasons for dental braces, their connection to some oral health problems, and some tips to prevent tooth decay with braces. You can visit Synergy Dental Group in Parkdale today if you need more information.
Some Reasons For Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic appliances such as traditional braces go beyond straightening crooked teeth. Misaligned teeth, also known as malocclusions, include buck teeth, underbite, or other dental misalignment causing a bad bite. If you have spaced-out, crowded, extra, or missing teeth, you are also good candidates for braces.
In addition, teeth needing corrections are more challenging to clean than straight, perfectly aligned teeth. If untreated, there is a more prominent probability your enamel may erode, leading to tooth decay and cavities. Likewise, you may encounter other oral health issues like chewing and speaking difficulties and bone and gum disease.
Fortunately, braces can address teeth alignment problems, as well as straighten your teeth. Hence, that can prompt greater self-confidence, in addition to healthier teeth and gums.
Tooth Decay and Braces
Though correcting your teeth with braces, whether metal braces or Invisalign braces, can help prevent cavities, still, there is an increased possibility of decay while wearing them.
Depending on the kind of braces you have, they can get bits of food particles and sugar from some beverages. When caught, these particles cause bacteria to develop in your mouth, forming plaque buildup that leads to cavities and gum disease.
Tooth sensitivity, toothaches, and chewing pain are all indications you may have one or more cavities. If you notice these symptoms, visit this clinic in Seymour to evaluate your dental condition and get the treatment you need. Without dental intervention, tooth decay may infect a tooth’s pulp, leading to painful infections, abscesses, or even jaw issues. That is why it is essential to keep your braces clean to prevent dental problems like tooth decay.
Four Tips To Prevent Tooth Decay While Wearing Braces
Traditional metal braces can easily trap food particles because of the brackets and bands connected to the dental appliances. Suppose you do not clean it properly. Then bacteria in sticky foods can accumulate on your teeth and gums, causing your gums to become swollen and red and your teeth to develop decay. Luckily, doing proper oral hygiene is the best way to prevent tooth decay with braces.
Brushing and Flossing with Braces
Preventing tooth decay is possible when you practice good oral hygiene. This might need you to get out of your standard dental care patterns to be more aware of your brushing habits. Also, include using fluoride toothpaste and floss threader to maintain clean and healthy teeth while wearing braces. As a matter of fact, plaque and tartar buildup can hide in your brackets and wires, which are challenging to eliminate. The absence of appropriate dental care with braces can worsen oral bacterial development and cause tooth decay.
Eating Responsibly With Braces
Unhealthy eating can damage your teeth and braces and cause tooth decay. These include cookies, pretzels, hard nuts, jellies, ice, and so on. In addition, sticky foods such as gummy bears, caramel chocolates, and gums can damage your teeth braces. In fact, these types of foods can add time to your treatment, which implies you could wear your braces longer than estimated.
Fortunately, there are a lot of great foods you can eat while wearing braces. Softer food varieties such as oatmeal, yogurt, bananas, grapes, fruit bars are healthy foods that are advisable to consume. However, if you really want to eat something sweet, just remember brushing your teeth after eating them.
Think Before You Sip That Beverage
Another thing to be mindful of when wearing braces is the drink you choose. Though liquid cannot be caught in your teeth and braces, its damaging content can still stay inside your mouth. The substance of numerous popular refreshments is frequently loaded with acids and sugar, the two of which wear out tooth enamel over the long run. In fact, fruit juices, energy drinks, sports drinks, and sodas are some beverages you should try to avoid.
Schedule Orthodontics Checkups
A simple method for preventing tooth decay is to plan standard checkups with your orthodontist. They can assess your mouth and teeth, replace your elastic bands and adjust the braces if necessary. As a matter of fact, seeing your dentist is the best way to detect plaque buildup and tooth decay in the early phases. So make sure you always make regular dental appointments to keep your teeth and mouth healthy.
Takeaway
Tooth decay with braces is a common issue for patients with poor dental care practices. In some cases, teeth issues while wearing braces can affect other parts of your body like your ears, nose, and throat. With that, ENT surgeons can help address this kind of progression.
In any case, remember that patience and diligence are both essential to keep tooth decay away while having orthodontic treatment. By monitoring what can cause tooth decay while wearing dental devices like braces, you will be glad to follow some more rigid oral health care practices. After all, no one wants a mouth full of cavities when you flaunt your smile.
References:
Cavities/tooth decay.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cavities/symptoms-causes/syc-20352892
What To Know About Metal Braces?
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/adult-orthodontics/what-to-know-about-metal-braces
Oral Health Tips.
https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/adult-oral-health/tips.html