It can be difficult to handle dental devices such as traditional braces.A good deal of maintenance and cleaning is required to avoid the build up ofbacteria and an unpleasant odor.It will be easier to wear dental devices if you take care of them, have a good dental hygiene routine, and visit your orthodontist and dentist regularly.
Step 1: Take care of your teeth.
Poor dental health can be caused by food getting caught in between your braces.Establish a good dental hygiene routine that includes brushing, flossing, and rinsing.In the morning and before bed, brush at least twice a day.It's a good idea to brush after eating to make sure the food doesn't get stuck in the braces.Flossing with braces can be hard.You can use 18 inches of floss.Carefully thread it under the main wire of the braces.You don't have to pull on the arch wire to floss between your teeth.Make sure you have a toothbrush with you at all times.An oral irrigator can be used.A stream of water is used to clean between teeth, braces, and gums.They can increase the flow of blood in the gums, which can lead to an increase in antibacterial protection.You can try an interdental brush.The brushes are designed to clean between your teeth when you have braces.Interdental brushes can help remove food from your braces.
Step 2: Start with soft foods.
Your braces are going to hurt for a while.If you want to avoid braces, eat foods that you can easily swallow, like macaroni and cheese, applesauce, ice cream, popsicles, and shakes.If you want to get in your veggies, try steaming them until they're soft.Soft cooked rice, noodles, and seafood are easy to eat.If you can't chew anything, eat soups.
Step 3: It's a good idea to avoid hard or chewy candy.
Poor tooth health can be caused by these, and they can damage or break your braces.Don't eat foods such as caramel, sticky peanut butter, hard candy, nuts, taffy, gummy bears, popcorn, or gum.
Step 4: All the time, wear rubber bands.
If your orthodontist decides that you need to wear rubber bands, you should always wear them.The hooks will not get caught in your cheeks if you keep your rubber bands in.You may need headgear if your dental work is extensive.Headgear provides something to anchor your braces to, applying pressure to the teeth, which helps them move into the proper place.Head gear can be strap to your forehead or chin.You have to wear the gear for a certain amount of time.In most cases, you don't need to wear it the whole time you have braces on your teeth.
Step 5: Take care of the wires and brackets.
There are a lot of problems that plague braces wearers.It's important to call your orthodontist if you have problems with your mouth.You can try a few at- home remedies if you can't get an appointment.Orthodontic wax can be used to temporarily reattach the brackets.The cushion between the gum and the brackets is provided by this tactic.You can use a little sugar-free chewing gum until you get to your appointment if you don't have wax.If you can't see a doctor for a broken wire, use the eraser end of a pencil to move it to a better position.You can apply wax to your teeth so they don't get cut by the wire.If you accidentally swallow or inhale wire, do not try to cut it.There are loose bands that need to be re-cemented or replaced.If you can't make your appointment, save the band.
Step 6: You should wear your retainer for the recommended amount of time.
If you don't wear a retainer, you risk having your teeth move back to their original position, which is why it's important to wear one.It is recommended that you wear your retainer for the recommended amount of time, except when eating, cleaning, or participating in ball sports that could result in injury to the mouth.You don't want to have to go through braces again.If your doctor recommends wearing a retainer all the time for three months, then you should only wear it at night.
Step 7: Carry a case for your retainer.
If you have a case handy, you can store your retainer when it's not in your mouth.While it may be tempting to just place your retainer on the table next to you, this is less sanitary than a case and also puts you at risk of being broken.Carry your retainer in your pocket, backpack or purse so that you have easy access.If you wrap your retainer in napkins instead of putting it in a case, it can get thrown in the trash.Retainers cost as much as $250 to replace.You will be less likely to lose your retainer if you keep a case with you.
Step 8: Keep your retainer clean.
A good cleaning routine will prevent your retainer from smelling bad.It's a good idea to brush your retainer with warm water.You cannot use toothpaste with some retainers if you check with your dentist about which types of cleaners you can use.It's a good idea to wash your retainer at least once a week.Pick a denture-cleaning solution and mix it with a cup of warm water.You can use dissolving pills that have the same effect and remove anybacteria on the retainer.You can use it as well.If you don't want to use denture cleaner or mouthwash, you can try a few home remedies.For fifteen to thirty minutes, you can soak your retainer in equal parts water and vinegar and 3% hydrogen peroxide.
Step 9: Keep it away from heat sources.
The plastic in the retainer can break from heat sources.Warm water is the best way to clean it.It's important to not leave it on hot surfaces.
Step 10: Wear the trays for up to 22 hours a day.
If you want to see results from your clear braces, you need to wear them for at least 20 hours a day.Only clear braces can be removed for best results.Don't remove clear braces at night.
Step 11: Keep it clean.
Whenever you brush your teeth, uselukewarm water.Similar to retainers, aligners should be cleaned and soaked in a denture cleaner at least once a day.Maintaining good dental hygiene while wearing clear braces is a must.If you want to prevent food particles from getting caught in your aligners, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day.Before you place the aligners back in your mouth, use a mouth rinse.Toothpaste and mouthwash can cause damage if you brush them with your aligners.
Step 12: You should change your aligner every two weeks.
You will be given several sets of aligners at the beginning of your treatment in order to shift your teeth in the right direction.You should check in with your doctor every six weeks to make sure you are on the right path.The aligner will get loose when the next one is needed.You need to see your orthodontist for the next stage.
Step 13: Give it some time.
As you get used to wearing the dental device, many of the problems associated with it will diminish.Some people experience problems with a mandibular repositioning device, such as more saliva in the mouth or dry mouth, headaches, or gum irritation.Over time, most of these symptoms will go away.If you're having pain during the day after using one of these devices, then you should talk to your dentist.You may be able to see jaw and tongue stretches at your doctor's office.
Step 14: Visit the dentist.
Gum irritation can be mitigated by having healthy teeth and gums.If you visit your dentist twice a year, you can keep your teeth healthy.Your dentist can check out any problems you may be having with the device.Before you get fitted for such a device, you should be checked out by a dentist.It's important to make sure your teeth are healthy enough to have a dental device.Floss and brush your teeth twice a day at home.
Step 15: Make or ask for changes.
If your device causes you pain, you should ask for adjustments or make them yourself.You might need a different position for it to be the most comfortable.Discuss what's best for you with your dentist or doctor.
Step 16: Try a different device.
There are a lot of options when it comes to dental devices.Try using another if one doesn't work out for you.You can change the style of the device by going to another style.Mandibular repositioning devices can be used to open up the airway by changing the position of your lower jaw.While other dental devices are combined with a CPAP machine to make it easier to use, tongue retaining devices adjust your tongue by pulling it forward and opening the airway.The boil and bite style is one of the options with mandibular repositioning devices.The boil and bite version requires you to boil the device and then bite it to create a mold of your mouth.The hinged style still allows you to open and close your mouth, but the device has ways of adjusting it for a more comfortable fit.It might be easier to deal with a different style.
Step 17: These devices should be replaced with dentures.
If you wear dentures, you're going to need to find another solution for sleep apnea, such as a CPAP mask.Most dental devices won't hold up when the person is wearing dentures, though the mandibular repositioning kind will be particularly difficult.
Step 18: Try a machine to sleep with.
A dental device is not the first treatment for sleep apnea.It helps to keep your airway clear and unobstructed by providing a steady flow of air through a mask.Many people don't use the mask because it's uncomfortable to wear.Put the mask on for a little while each day, then add air pressure once you're comfortable.When you start wearing it to bed, make sure to use it every night to help you adjust.
Step 19: A ramp feature can be used to adjust air pressure.
It may be difficult to adjust to the forced air pressure.The "ramp" feature increases the air pressure over time if that's the case.As you fall asleep, you can start with a lower pressure and slowly move up to a higher pressure.It is easier to sleep with machines that adjust to your breathing patterns.
Step 20: You can choose a different size mask.
Pick a different size mask is a step you can take to make your device more comfortable.You may not be the same size for different brands of masks.Most are adjusted to make them more comfortable.Ask if you don't know how to adjust your mask.The person at the place you bought the machine should be able to help.
Step 21: You can try a different style.
There are many styles of CPAP masks.You may find a style that works for you.It is possible to find the right kind of mask for your needs.If you tend to knock your mask off, you may want one that has straps across your cheeks and forehead, as that's more secure than other masks.If a mask with secure straps makes you uncomfortable, you could try a nasal pillow, which only straps under your nose.You can see over this type of mask.If you end up with a bad nose after using the machine, you may need to choose a different mask or tubing.Ask about newer devices if you feel uncomfortable wearing a mask.The new styles eliminate the hoses and accessories by placing a small device into your nostrils.
Step 22: The chamber can be used for dry mouth.
If you end up with a dry mouth, you can try making the air more humid.This capability is already built into most machines.Adding water to the air can help cut down on dry mouth.A dry nose can be caused by low humidity in the machine.If you have a nose problem, you can try a spray before bed.Use your machine's instructions to use the humidifying chamber.
Step 23: If the mask is making you uncomfortable, make adjustments.
If your mask is too tight, it will irritate your skin or make you uncomfortable.You may need to make changes if it leaks or doesn't stay on your face.To get a better fit, adjust the pads and change the straps.Other brands or styles may fit your face better, so you may need to consider another style of mask.
Step 24: It's a good idea to wear a night guard for grinding teeth.
A night guard protects your teeth while you sleep.Make sure you wear a night guard.If you want it to be more comfortable, get it fitted for one by a dentist.Over time, the dentist-fitted kind tends to be more comfortable as they are more accurate and made from a superior material.Use a few tricks to decrease grinding.If you want to teach your mouth to chew all the time, don't chew gum or other objects.Try to cut down on stress.Coffee and nicotine can cause you to grind your teeth more.
Step 25: When playing sports, use a mouthguard.
While playing sports, mouthguards can help keep your teeth from getting damaged.It's similar to a night guard that provides cushion against grinding your teeth.Always wear your guard when playing sports, particularly contact sports.If you want to make it more comfortable, have it fitted by a dentist.
Step 26: You can learn to turn a expander.
A palatal expander helps increase space in a child's mouth, which in turn allows for teeth to be straighter.Since it requires turning once a day, it may be intimidating to you.You use a small key each day to turn parts of the expander, even though your dentist will show you how to do it.For the first couple of days, stick with soft, enjoyable foods, such as yogurt, applesauce, ice cream, or mashed potatoes.They can stick to the expander and skip hard candy.An expander is mostly painless.A child may experience some pain in the first few days, but it is not as bad as it could be.