5 Common Mistakes Braces Wearers Make (and How to Avoid Them)

Misaligned teeth can affect confidence for many teens and adults. Braces remain one of the most popular orthodontic treatment options for teens and adults. When our patients in Georgetown, TX, get started with braces, they often feel excited and nervous at the same time. Since orthodontic treatment typically takes several months to complete, it’s possible to encounter a few challenges along the way. Below are some of the most common braces mistakes and tips on avoiding them.

1) Getting Braces From a General Dentist

It’s easy to confuse a general dentist and an orthodontist, but these two are very different. Orthodontists have special education and training in correcting teeth and jaw misalignments.

When you’re thinking about getting braces, the first thing is to look for an experienced orthodontist.

For residents of Georgetown, having a consultation with Dr. Neker Bernuy at Bernuy Orthodontics can prove quite beneficial. He is a board-certified orthodontist with years of experience treating multiple types of orthodontic cases.

2) Eating the Wrong Foods

Sugary and sticky foods are risky for even braces-less teeth. But they become a bigger problem if you have them while wearing braces.

That’s because these foods can damage your teeth as well as your braces. A common issue we hear from our patients is that they were eating candy or gum and one of their brackets came loose.

Unfortunately, these restrictions also apply to some of the healthier foods, such as raw vegetables or hard foods, such as whole apples, nuts, or raw carrots. Cutting fruits and vegetables into small pieces makes them easier and safer to eat.

3) Skipping Oral Hygiene

For braces wearers, daily oral hygiene becomes more crucial than for those who don’t wear them. Small food bits easily get lodged between the brackets and wires. Plus, you may also find it hard to brush and floss your teeth with braces at first.

Because of these problems, plaque builds up on your teeth very fast. Skipping your oral care routine for even a day can be risky.

Most of the time, patients develop issues like bad breath, gingivitis, or decay because of neglecting oral hygiene.

4) Skipping Your Orthodontic Visits

One of the main parts of your braces treatment is routine visits to our Georgetown orthodontist. You’ll usually have them every 4 to 6 weeks. In these appointments, we adjust or tighten your braces and check that everything is working well.

If you skip your visits, your braces won’t work as effectively. Your treatment time will also be prolonged, which is a bigger hassle. So, if you can’t make it to your appointment for some reason, consider rescheduling it to the nearest possible date.

5) Ignoring Broken Wires or Brackets

Broken wires or brackets are not a small issue. Even if your bracket is still in place but loose, you should visit our orthodontist as early as you can.

Similarly, poking wires can hurt your cheek or tongue. Cover up the part with orthodontic wax until you get professional care for them.

Conclusion

Braces treatment takes time and a lot of patience. So you have to make sure to avoid all these common mistakes to get the best results. If you or your teen is considering braces, talk to our expert at Bernuy Orthodontic Specialist today. Call us at (512) 887-1610 to make an appointment!