Braces are the tried-and-true solution for addressing crooked teeth because they have a long history of successfully straightening smiles. They rely on a series of metal brackets bonded to your teeth threaded with a special archwire that exerts enough pressure to slowly shift everything into its proper place to enhance your appearance and improve your oral health.
Although this treatment is incredibly effective, it does come with a few common challenges that patients must learn to navigate to avoid potential harm. Continue reading to learn about 3 issues you might experience with traditional orthodontics and how to handle them!
Problem #1: Tissue Damage
One common complaint from patients with traditional braces is that the corners of the brackets or the ends of the wires poke the tender tissues inside the mouth. It’s true that the sharp ends can rub raw spots into the flesh of your inner cheeks, lips, and gums. This is both painful and a health risk because bacteria from your mouth can penetrate the wounds and cause infection.
Thankfully, your orthodontist can provide a special dental wax that you can place over them to smooth over the rough edges to give your tissues a break so they can heal.
Problem #2: Demineralization
Another typical concern that comes up with braces is that the brackets are difficult to keep clean. Unfortunately, that means plaque is more likely to build up around their edges, leading to demineralization.
Essentially, bacteria and other debris are trapped against your braces and eventually produce enough acid to errode the enamel. This increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease and can leave white blemishes on your teeth that must be professionally whitened once your braces are removed.
You can prevent this process by brushing and flossing twice daily with supplies that are designed to work around orthodontics, like an interproximal toothbrush and floss threaders.
Problem #3: Loose or Broken Brackets
Although they are great at exerting enough pressure to shift your teeth, the metal brackets of your braces are somewhat brittle and prone to harm. Your orthodontist likely provided you with a list of dietary restrictions to follow throughout your treatment to avoid hurting or dislodging them. Indulging in foods that are overly hard, like ice or nuts, or too sticky, like taffy and other candies, you might shove or yank them off your teeth.
Usually, you can apply a small amount of dental wax to hold it in place until you can contact your provider to schedule an appointment. They’ll work with you to recement or replace the damaged metal.
Now that you know about a few common problems with braces, you can take appropriate steps to avoid them!
About the Author
Dr. Payam Ishani takes pride in helping people of all ages build and maintain the happiest, healthist version of their smiles. He earned his dental degree from the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry and completed specialty training in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Now, he’s an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists, so you can trust that your grin is in good hands. If you’re having an issue with your braces and need help, you can request an appointment on the website or call (405) 254-5094.