Smooth Straightening: 5 Tips to Prevent Orthodontic Emergencies

As you undergo a braces or clear aligners treatment, you may be excited about getting your straighter smile. While you’ll get a healthier bite, it will take some time to get to it. During this, it may go smoothly, but there is a chance you’ll find yourself in an orthodontic emergency. These can be stressful to deal with, but there are ways you can prevent them. Here are five tips to avoid unexpected trouble.

1.)  Watch Your Diet

If you have braces, then you will need to adjust your diet. Hard foods, like nuts, some candies, and crusty bread, can break a wire or bracket. If this happens, they can cause discomfort with sharp edges, but also lead to delays. Sticky things aren’t any better, as well, since they can pull at your hardware or get stuck in between it. You may find yourself at a higher risk of oral health issues like cavities.

2.)  Use a Mouthguard

Whether you play sports or do a lot of physical activity, then you should wear a mouthguard. This is especially true if you know you’re at risk of a facial blow, as it’s possible you damage your braces and injure your inner cheek or lips. Make sure you wear an oral appliance that’s fitted right; that way, you can protect your smile from any harm.

3.)  Take Good Care of Your Orthodontics

There are some habits that can harm your braces or clear aligners if you aren’t careful. If you chew on pens or bite your nails, then you may loosen a bracket, bend a wire, or break your trays. Make sure you treat your orthodontics with care, no matter which one you have. That way, they continue doing their job and get you to a healthier grin.

4.)  Keep Up with Your Oral Hygiene

A great way to avoid emergencies is by treating your teeth right as well. By brushing and flossing, you can get rid of bacteria that can cause cavities or gum disease. These dental problems might start minor, but they can cause serious trouble and delays if you aren’t careful.

5.)  Have Consistent Visits with Your Dentist

In the end, you shouldn’t forget your dentist! Having routine visits with them can give them a chance to ensure your teeth are moving as expected and everything is going smoothly. You will be able to spot any problems early and get them sorted out before they cause big delays. That way, you enjoy a smooth treatment to a straight smile.

About the Practice

At EPO Dental Specialists, you benefit from a team of skilled dentists who look after you and your oral health. We are dedicated to helping the Richardson community correct their misalignment and crookedness with reliable orthodontics. By finding the right treatment for you, we can stick by your side throughout to help you avoid delays. If you want more tips on taking care of your braces or clear aligners, schedule an appointment or call our office at (972) 479-1200.