When wearing braces, it is important to steer clear of a few habits that may delay treatment. Dr. Cynthia Wong of Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL wants her patients to know which habits to kick to the curb for healthy treatment.
Biting Fingernails and Other Non-Food Objects
Biting your fingernails is already bad for your teeth, but when you bite them while wearing braces, it could create enough pressure to cause one of your brackets to break or pop off. Even if the brackets remain intact, the pressure will make the braces less effective, therefore delaying treatment. This rule also goes for biting on pen caps, pencils, water bottles, etc. Just stick to biting food!
Hard or Crunchy Foods
Okay, so we said to stick to food. What you really should do is stick to the right foods, and avoid some of the others. Hard foods like popcorn, bagels, and raw carrots are common culprits for popping off brackets. In addition, skip the sticky stuff like chewing gum and caramels.
Brushing Too Hard
Many people think they need to apply force and really scrub their teeth to get them clean. However, all it takes is a light touch with a soft toothbrush. Scrubbing hard is not only bad for your gum tissue and enamel, but it can cause damage to a bracket or wire.
Your Daily Pop
Pop is filled with sugar that can hide in between teeth and around your brackets! Pop is also very acidic, so drinking it frequently can contribute to worn down enamel. Frequently drinking dark colas can also stain your teeth and while you have brackets on, the staining won’t reach that area of the teeth. It could result in some uneven staining. Stick to keeping pop as a treat instead of a staple in your diet.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong of Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, call us at (708) 444-8341 or visit our website, www.drcynthiawong.com.
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