Braces are the tried-and-true method for straightening smiles and have a long history of success. However, the brittle brackets and wires are also infamous for breaking, snapping, or poking the tender tissues inside your mouth. The best way to prevent this is to keep them in good shape by caring for them properly.
Thankfully, it’s usually not too difficult to stick with your dental hygiene routine at home to protect your dental health and your orthodontics. But what about when you’re on-the-go? Being prepared with an orthodontic kit ensures you’ll have the supplies you need at work or school. If you’re unsure what you might need, continue reading to learn about three helpful items to include!
Item #1: Toothbrush & Toothpaste
Clearing away food particles and plaque from your teeth and gums can prevent cavities and gum disease. Unfortunately, braces are notorious for trapping bits of food, which attracts bacteria that contribute to cavities and gum disease. Plus, it allows any acids in your leftovers to wear away at your enamel.
Keeping a travel-sized toothbrush and tube of toothpaste close by means you’ll have what you need to keep your mouth clean, no matter where you are. You might also include interdental brushes to better reach between and around your orthodontics for a thorough scrubbing.
Item #2: Floss and Threader
If plaque forms along your gumline, it can penetrate the connective tissues and cause an infection. Though this starts small, if it’s left unaddressed, it can progress into periodontitis, which eventually causes your gums to recede or can enter your bloodstream and contribute to diabetes or heart problems.
Flossing is a simple and effective way to keep residue from forming between your teeth or against your gums. That said, many people struggle to floss with braces because it’s hard to navigate around them. You can more easily manipulate the string with threaders, which all can fit neatly into your orthodontic kit.
Item #3: Dental Wax
One common issue with braces is that the sharp corners of the brackets or ends of wires rub raw spots in their mouths. Not only can this become incredibly frustrating and uncomfortable, but open sores can become infected, putting your oral well-being at risk.
To protect your tongue, gums, and the insides of your lips and cheeks, apply a small amount of dental wax over the problem area. This smooths out the surface to create a barrier against the rough material, allowing your mouth to heal.
Now that you know what to carry in your transportable orthodontic kit, you’ll have everything you need to keep your braces in excellent condition!
About the Practice
At Healthy Smiles Dental Care of Lansing, you and your family benefit from a team of providers with 30+ years of combined experience. They work together to offer a full array of services conveniently under one roof to help patients of all ages improve their oral health, including orthodontic solutions. Whether you prefer braces or clear aligners, they have methods to help you meet all your smile goals. Then, they utilize state-of-the-art equipment to enhance your comfort while delivering accurate, long-lasting results. If you’re ready for a consultation, you can request an appointment on the website or call (517) 333-3160.