Nobody wants to have a wire or bracket pop loose! But it happens to the best of us. Fortunately, knowing what might damage your braces can help you sidestep mishaps most of the time. Let’s talk about 5 things not to do with braces so you can avoid emergency trips to the orthodontist.
1. Eat Chewy, Sticky, Crunchy, or Hard Foods
On the top of our list of things not to do with braces is eating chewy, sticky, crunchy, or hard foods. It is a simple mistake, but eating foods that fall into these categories is a top reason for emergency visits to the orthodontist for repairs.
Many orthodontists keep a list of foods that are best avoided that they can print out and share with you. Ask for this list if you don’t have it already! And keep copies of it handy on your fridge, in school backpacks, and anywhere else you might need to reference it to ensure that the foods you eat are safe for your braces.
2. Bite into an Apple, Bagel, or Corn on the Cob
Foods that require biting into can also cause problems for braces-wearers. To avoid putting excessive stress on your braces, cut or tear these foods into smaller bite-sized pieces before enjoying them to help make them safer.
3. Play Risky Sports without a Mouthguard
Playing sports with braces that pose a risk of contact with other participants, falling, or trauma to the face is another common way that our patients’ braces get broken. Wearing a mouthguard is important because not only can it protect your braces from damage, it can also protect your teeth from getting chipped, broken, or knocked out, as well.
4. Skip Brushing or Flossing
Another big “don’t” when you have braces: don’t neglect your oral hygiene! Taking good care of your teeth is always important, but when you have braces it becomes extra important to make sure that bacteria and plaque don’t build up in all the extra nooks and crannies that braces add. You want your smile to look it’s very best at the end of your orthodontic treatment and keeping up a routine of brushing after each meal and flossing each day can help to ensure that!
5. Repair Your Braces at Home
Last but not least on our list of things not to do with braces: in the event that your braces do get broken, don’t try to repair them at home! Attempting repairs yourself can lead to even more problems. We’re here to help! Call your orthodontist right away and we’ll make your braces as good as new as quickly as possible.
Call our Tulsa Dental Office to make an appointment with a Dentist in Tulsa who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.
FAQs
Hold your chin up, your chest high, and tuck in your tummy. If you slouch in photos, you'll give yourself a double chin. Part your lips when you smile. A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that if their teeth aren't perfect, or if they're wearing braces, they should smile close lipped.
How to get the perfect smile with braces? ›
Hold your chin up, your chest high, and tuck in your tummy. If you slouch in photos, you'll give yourself a double chin. Part your lips when you smile. A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that if their teeth aren't perfect, or if they're wearing braces, they should smile close lipped.
Can braces fix a bad smile? ›
A perfect smile is also achieved by braces through correcting misaligned jaws, which contribute to problems such as overbites, underbites, and bad proportions. By realigning the upper and lower parts of your jaw, your smile will look better and make your lips and jaw look proportionate to your face.
Can I touch my braces with my tongue? ›
It's normal to be a little fidgety, moving your lips over the braces or touching the braces with your tongue. But within a day or two, this type of “checking it out” activity will go away. The “glue” that holds the braces on your teeth is similar to the material we use to fill teeth.
Why does my smile look weird with braces? ›
The uneven spacing of the teeth may cause your cheeks to look sunken in rather than pronounced. The appearance of your lips can either look too thin or pronounced because of the way your teeth are positioned.
Why does my face look better after braces? ›
With braces, many adults find their facial features appear more symmetrical and balanced. Since your cheeks are supported by healthy, properly aligned teeth and jaws, some people notice improved facial volume with braces if they previously had sunken cheeks.
What is the rarest smile? ›
The rarest smile type is the complex smile, with only an estimated 2% of the population possessing this smile. This smile is rare because it requires three muscle groups to work simultaneously when smiling.
How to look pretty even with braces? ›
6 Ways You Can Make Your Braces Less Noticeable
- #1 Shift the Focus to Other Features.
- #2 Keep Your Teeth Clean.
- #3 Try Not to Be Self-Conscious.
- #4 Bands on the Brackets.
- #5 Practise Smiling Without Teeth.
- #6 Inconspicuous Braces.
Average Time for Moving Teeth with Braces
In around three weeks or so, you may begin to notice your teeth feeling looser than usual. Now, your teeth are starting to move into their desired location. Although you may not see anything different, you'll feel that changes are happening.
Can people feel braces when kissing? ›
With the advances in modern braces, kissing with braces on is not something that you should be worried about. The smaller, smoother parts are less likely to get snagged on things, like another set of braces or your girlfriend or boyfriend's lip.
In our clinic in Downtown PHX, the patients always ask us how much braces hurt on a scale of 1-10, or if it hurts the first day when you start orthodontic treatment. The truth is it doesn't hurt at all, but it's completely normal to have some discomfort for a few days after your first appointment.
Why do teeth look bigger after braces? ›
Your teeth may appear larger as a result of this improved aesthetic quality because they are more noticeable and catch people's attention. An appealing smile with proper teeth alignment can provide the appearance of bigger, more pronounced teeth.
Do you lose weight with braces? ›
The short answer is, traditional metal braces and Invisalign can adjust your eating habits causing you to consume less calories and lose weight. Remember, weight loss happens when you burn more calories than you consume. If you are running 15 miles a day, you can consume 3000 calories and still lose weight.
Why is my smile so gummy with braces? ›
Braces are indirectly related to gummy smiles through poor dental hygiene. Patients in traditional braces often find brushing and flossing more troublesome as the braces cause an obstruction. Bacteria then builds up in and around the gums, causing inflammation and a gummy smile.
Do braces change your voice? ›
Although brace require some adaptation, for sure, they will not affect your singing voice. After correcting your teeth, your voice will get even better. Singing is usually affected by the vocal cords, so if the vocal cords are healthy, then you shouldn't have to worry.
Do lips become smaller after braces? ›
Your lips may look bigger temporarily since braces can push your lips out. However, your lips won't actually be bigger or fuller. Will my lips get smaller when my braces are removed? Your lips will remain the same size, but they may appear smaller since they aren't pushed out and forward by braces.
Do braces slim your face? ›
Some individuals might experience a reduction in facial width, a more refined jawline, and other subtle changes as a result of the teeth alignment process. When teeth are properly aligned and positioned, any former facial fullness due to prominent or misaligned teeth can diminish, causing the face to appear slimmer.
How to smile while wearing braces? ›
Tips For How to Smile in Pictures with Braces
Be sure to brush and floss before pictures. If your lips are dry, apply some moisturizer. Never pinch your lips tightly closed. Practice smiling with at least some of your teeth showing.
How can I make my braces look cuter? ›
Following are seven ways to make your braces less noticeable:
- Consider Getting Clear Aligners. ...
- Consider Ceramic Braces. ...
- Consider Metal Braces With Some Adjustments Or Mini Traditional Braces. ...
- Keep Your Teeth Clean. ...
- Practice Smiling Without Showing Your Teeth. ...
- Take Care Of Your Lips. ...
- Highlight Other Features.
Smile apps are quick and easy to use. Just follow the steps to start exploring how you'll look with different orthodontic options. You can switch them out as often as you like, and when you find the one that works for you, save the image.
