Going to the dentist isn't any fun, but it is one of those things that just has to be done. For years, I fought the process and didn't go for my regular cleanings and in the end, it sure didn't pay to do so. I ended up spending ten times as much time in the chair and a boat-load of money in dental repairs. If you don't like going to the dentist, you can make it easier on yourself. This blog will show you a few tips that can help you improve the experience and get through the treatment without as much discomfort.
going to the dentist with less anxiety
Braces And You: Common Problems You Could Face
Jordan Arnold
If you are looking to improve the appearance of your smile by getting braces, it is important that you understand the various struggles that you may experience thorughout the course of your orthodontic treatment so that you can prepare accordingly.
Broken Wire
One of the most common issues that you will face with your braces is one of the wires breaking. This is usually the result of eating a hard piece of food or candy. This can cause the wire to loosen or break. When this happens, it will likely poke you either in the cheek or somewhere else in the mouth, which will then cause you discomfort. Don't, under any circumstance, cut the wire. You need to call your orthodontist immediately to have it repaired or replaced. In the meantime, you use some orthodontic wax to put on the wire to keep it from hurting you.
Loose Bracket
Throughout your orthondotic treatment, you may experience a loose bracket (the piece that is on your actual tooth). This is also often a result of eating something hard, such as a nut. It can become loose or posisbly even completely pop off. This can be extremely uncomfortable, so you can use orthodontic wax to minimize the discomfort until you can get into the orthodontist's office to have it fixed.
Staining
Staining is yet another issue that you will face with braces. As you drink and eat, the beverages and food can gather around the previously-mentioned brackets on your teeth. If you don't remove it within a decent amount of time, stains can develop. This is why it is important to brush your teeth after you have eaten a meal. If this is not possible, you should rinse your mouth thoroughly after eating and drinking sugary beverages. After your treatment is complete, it may be a good idea to speak to your orthodontist about getting a teeth whitening procedure to potentially remove any stains that may have developed over the course of your orthodontist treatment.
Gum Disease
With braces, you are more susceptible to developing gum disease. Gum disease occurs when bacteria builds up along your gum line. This can result in inflammation, irritation and bleeding. If it isn't treated, it can become worse over time and your gums can start to recede and pockets can eventually be created in the gum tissue. This simply leads to even more irritation, in addition to decay and bone loss. Since it is more difficult to clean around your gums with braces, you are at a higher risk of developing gum disease. Therefore, it is important that you make sure your orthodontist shows you show to properly and thoroughly clean your teeth and gums to prevent this disease.
As long as you follow your orthodontist's instructions carefully and maintain good oral hygiene throughout your orthodontic treatment, you can go through the entire treatment with minimal issues and end up with a beautiful smile. Contact an orthodontist, like Fayetteville Family Dentistry, for more help.
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