Dentistry: It's More Than Drilling and Filling

Dentistry: It's More Than Drilling and Filling

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Dentistry: It's More Than Drilling and Filling

Many people think of dentists as the providers who drill and fill your teeth when you have a cavity. It's true that this is part of their job, but it is only one small piece of what they do. Dentists also provide cleaning services. They can put a crown on a badly cracked or damaged tooth, and they can perform a root canal if the delicate tissues inside your tooth become infected. Dental care is comprehensive, and it is important through every stage of life. We don't think you need to be an expert in dentistry; that's your dentist's job. But we do think you should read some of the articles provided here to gain a better understanding of the work dentists do.

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3 Ways to Take Care of Your Braces

20 March 2020
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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Braces help to correct your smile as they straighten your teeth. Your orthodontist is able to work with you to transform crooked teeth into beautiful straight teeth through this process. Orthodontic treatment not only helps to straighten your teeth but also can help to address issues with your palate.  While you have braces, you may also get headgear to correct an overbite or an underbite. The quality of your smile improves, as does your oral health, as a result of getting braces. While the orthodontist will take care of installing your braces, you must do your part to help maintain them. Here are three ways that you can take care of your braces.

Choose Chocolate Over Other Sweets

When you have braces, you have to be careful about the kinds of foods you eat. Crunchy and sticky foods can damage the brackets and wires of your braces, sometimes to the point where you have to go to the orthodontist right away for repairs. Choose chocolate over other sweets and candies if you get a craving. Chocolate is soft and dissolves more quickly than other kinds of candy. Chocolate also comes in a variety of flavors, such as milk, dark, and white, in order to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Update Your Oral Hygiene Routine

Braces help to straighten your teeth, but your teeth still require a regular hygiene routine in order to remain healthy. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles once you get braces to clean your teeth around the tops and bottoms of your brackets. Use a cone-shaped inter-ortho toothbrush in order to remove food and debris from underneath brackets. Once you get your braces off, you want to make sure that your teeth and gums are healthy so that you can be confident in your smile.

Use Orthodontic Wax to Soothe Your Mouth

You may find that the soft tissues of your mouth are extra sensitive to the brackets, wires, and hardware for the first few weeks you have braces. Use orthodontic wax to help soothe sore areas of your mouth. Over time, the soft tissues in your mouth will toughen and your mouth will no longer be as sensitive to your braces. Ask your dentist for a small supply of orthodontic wax to keep in your bag. Make sure to thoroughly wash your hands before and after you apply wax to your brackets in order to keep your mouth clean and free of germs.