Taking Care Of Your Teeth While Having Dental Braces

Misalignment of teeth is not uncommon. Good thing is that it can be treated but the treatment method may not be quite comfortable if the case is a complicated one. We are talking about braces here. If you want to get your crowded and misaligned teeth treated, you can get braces. Generally, people get braces during their teenage but adults can also get the benefit. The main purpose of braces is to align your teeth so that you could have an even bite and a pleasant smile.

Why braces may be required?

Braces provide treatment of issues such as:

  • Crooked and overcrowded teeth
  • Too much space between the teeth
  • Extended upper jaw (overbite)
  • Extended lower jaw (under-bite)
  • Jaw problems which can result in poor bite

Are there any risks of braces?

Although the braces are generally safer, there are some risks that you need to keep into your consideration while getting braces.

  • Short term risks that you may face while having braces include demineralization of teeth and risk of tooth decay.
  • Since there is the movement of teeth involved in the braces so that the teeth can be straightened, there can be a loss of bone during the process. As a result, the teeth may appear a bit shorter after the treatment is complete.

How to reduce the damage?

Good news is that you can avoid the risk of damage by following the instructions mentioned below:

  • Sugary and starchy foods can contribute in tooth decay and cavities. You will need to cut down on consumption of these foods.
  • Brushing your teeth is something you cannot overlook or abandon at any stage. While having braces, it gets even more important to brush your teeth. But, you will have to make sure that you are doing it carefully because harsh brushing can result in the dislodging of brackets.
  • The food particles can get stuck in the braces and wires. You have to make sure that you clear your mouth of those particles and debris. For this purpose, you will need to use a high quality fluoridated mouthwash. You can check into the mirror that your teeth are properly cleaned. Apart from using the mouthwash, you also need to make sure that you rinse your mouth with clean water quite often.
  • When you have braces, you will need to forget about having sticky foods such as candies and chewing gums. They can be harmful for the brackets and wires.

In the end, you will need to make sure that you visit your dentist as scheduled. They will help you take care of your oral cavity while having braces in an ideal way.

Dangers of Smoking for Oral Health

You may know it already; smoking can lead to serious oral and overall health problems. Since it is the mouth which comes in the first contact with tobacco, it takes the major hit. A few oral infections and conditions that can develop due to smoking mainly include:

  • Bad breath
  • Discoloration of teeth
  • Inflammation in the salivary glands
  • Increased plaque and tartar buildup
  • Jawbone loss
  • Heightened risk of leukoplakia
  • Risk of gum disease
  • Delayed healing after any kind of oral surgery
  • Increased chances for the failure of dental implants
  • High risk of oral cancer

Smoking can gum disease

Periodontal disease is one of the most common oral health conditions that can occur as a result of smoking or using smokeless tobacco products. Smoking can affect the attachment of gum’s soft tissues with teeth’s bones. As a result, the pockets are created underneath the gum line. These pockets are potentially the breeding places for bacteria which can cause cavities and gum disease. Smoking can also affect the blood flow in gums.

The dangers of pipe and cigar

You may wonder if cigar and pipe can also lead to oral health problems like cigarettes. These items are dangerous in the same manner as that of cigarette. According a study, people who use cigar suffer from tooth loss and jawbone loss at the same rate that of cigarette smokers. Same is the situation with pipe smoking as well. Moreover, people who use pipe and cigar are prone to getting throat cancer. The risk of bad breath, stained teeth and periodontal disease are also real when you smoke using cigar or pipe.

The smokeless tobacco products

Many people ask if smokeless tobacco products are safer. The matter of fact is that they are not safer in any way. They contain at least 28 chemicals which can cause cancer in oral cavity, throat and esophagus. The matter of fact is that chewing tobacco releases more nicotine in the mouth than cigarettes; and they are much harder to quit as compared to cigarettes.

Use of smokeless tobacco products can cause serious irritation in the gums. This irritation can result in gum recession which further leads to exposure of tooth roots. Since there is no enamel under the gum line, the exposed part is more prone to tooth decay and cavities. Furthermore, there are sugars added to the smokeless tobacco products. This addition can raise the chances of tooth decay and cavities further.

You need to quit tobacco

No matter how long you have been using tobacco products, it is never too late if you decide to quit. Even if the consumption of these items leads to cancer, you can quit smoking and tobacco consumption to raise the chances of your treatment becoming a success. For this purpose, you can visit your dentist and/or health physician to seek help.