When you wear braces, it is not uncommon to run into some problems. The good news is that many of these problems can be avoided if you take care of your braces properly. Read through the list below to discover the most common problems you might find with braces and what you can do to fix them. If you have any questions or would like to meet with our orthodontists in St. Peters, Missouri, to discuss these concerns, please give us a call at 636-928-1153.
Bad Breath — This occurs when tiny particles of food are trapped underneath your brackets, leaving them to turn into bacteria. To keep yourself away from bad breath, we encourage you to:
- Brush and floss your teeth after every meal
- Avoid eating any food with garlic or too much sugar
- Drink more water to clean out food particles
Broken Rubber Bands — If you break or have a loose rubber band, please give us a call to schedule an appointment with our orthodontists .
Cavities — To prevent cavities when wearing braces, we might suggest you use a special tool to clean around your brackets. It is also important to clean your teeth after every meal and stay on top of your routine cleanings.
Discomfort — After your braces have been placed, you may experience some soreness or discomfort. If this becomes the case for you, we recommend a non-aspirin pain reliever to help you find relief.
Gum Disease — With braces, many people become at risk of developing gum disease because of built-up bacteria forming along the gumline. This can eventually lead to inflammation and bleeding, which are signs of gum disease. To prevent this, please ask our team about how to correctly clean your teeth with braces.
Loose Brackets — At some point, you may have a loose bracket. If this becomes the case, we encourage you to contact our office and apply a special wax around or on top of the bracket until you can come into our office. If it is an emergency, you can cut the wire with fingernail clippers that have been sterilized with alcohol.
Poking Wires or Irritations — If a wire starts poking your cheek or other areas of your mouth, you can use an eraser or small cotton swab to move it away. If you cannot move the wire, you can cover the end of it with wax to relieve irritation.
Lost Separators — If you lose a separator, just give us a call to see if you need a replacement.
For more information and assistance with any of these issues, please contact Kling Orthodontics.