The Importance of Oral Care Before Braces

Living with crooked teeth affects your confidence and smile. It also stirs N number of problems like cavities, gum diseases, plaque buildup, bad breath, fungal infections, and more. The way to move forward is by opting for braces. Now, there's a lot of terror surrounding braces, and as exciting as it is to have a healthy smile, it’s important to set an oral health routine to improve your entire orthodontic experience.

This blog post will discuss a few tips to maintain your oral hygiene before getting braces.

Importance of Oral Care Before Getting Braces

Before beginning braces treatment, it is crucial to take care of your teeth and gums. Any existing dental issues like cavities or gum diseases can worsen the braces thereby making the treatment more complicated. From preventing decay, and reducing the risk of cavities surrounding the braces wires, and brackets.

Additionally, healthy gums will diminish inflammation and bleeding which can occur due to braces pressure. A healthy mouth can also aid the orthodontist in aligning the braces more accurately which can result in reduced treatment time.

Essential Oral Care Steps Before Getting Braces

Now that we have understood the importance of oral care, let us understand what are the essential steps we can take before starting the orthodontic treatment.

1. Setting up The First Appointment With Orthodontist

Make an appointment for a consultation with your orthodontist before beginning your orthodontic journey. Your teeth will be examined, X-rays will be taken, and your treatment choices will be discussed during this appointment. Any queries you may have concerning the procedure, such as the length of treatment and expenses, will also be answered by the orthodontist.

2. Healthy Gums

Making sure your teeth and gums are healthy is an important step before receiving braces. This entails making an appointment for a dental examination and cleaning. Untreated dental conditions, such as cavities or gum disease, can make orthodontic therapy more difficult.

3. Changing Dietary Habits

Making dietary changes is crucial when getting ready for braces. Avoid hard, sticky, or chewy foods that can harm braces. It may be simpler to follow the new dietary guidelines after getting braces if you modify your eating habits in advance.

4. Braces Discomfort

Although receiving braces is usually painless, some soreness is to be expected both during the application process and after alignment. To handle any discomfort, be ready with orthodontic wax and over-the-counter pain medications. It can also be relieved with warm salt water rinses.

5. Tools for Oral Hygiene You May Need

• Toothbrushes & Toothpaste To clean around braces, use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Using fluoride toothpaste to brush after every meal helps keep teeth healthy and prevent cavities.The Coslus Electric Toothbrush is a great option, offering 5 pressure settings and a double-curved blade that fits the shape of your teeth for efficient cleaning.
• Interproximal Brush Wearing braces makes flossing more difficult, but an orthodontic flosser or floss threader can help you clean in between your teeth more efficiently.  For an even simpler option, try a water flosser. The Coslus Speed Control Water Flosser offers 10 adjustable speed settings for a precise and comfortable cleaning experience. It’s a perfect addition to any oral care routine.
• Dental Picks and Sticks Dental picks and sticks are useful for cleaning your braces by eliminating food particles from the area surrounding the wires and brackets.
• Mouth Rinse After brushing and flossing, use a fluoride mouth rinse to keep your mouth fresh and add an additional layer of protection against decay.

6. Mental and Emotional Preparation

Being mentally and emotionally ready can help the procedure go more smoothly. Getting braces can be a big step. Spend some time learning about the process of receiving braces before beginning treatment. Anxiety can be decreased by being prepared. To learn more about the process, the many kinds of braces that are available, and the anticipated length of treatment, consult your orthodontist.

Don't forget to have reasonable expectations. It's not an easy solution. Treatment with braces may take months or even years. It's crucial to exercise patience and keep in mind that the outcome will make the wait worthwhile. Recognize that discomfort is possible, particularly following modifications. You can prepare yourself psychologically for these situations by being aware of this beforehand. 

Final Thoughts

It is crucial to prioritize your dental health for the immediate and long-term health of your teeth and gums before obtaining braces. You can reduce difficulties and improve your orthodontic treatment by developing a solid foundation in dental hygiene.

Keep in mind that maintaining your dental health today will reap the long-term benefits. Years down the line, you will thank yourself for not giving up on the treatment. It can help you get the smile of your dreams and have a more positive and successful braces experience.