Whether you’re a New Year’s resolution-maker or not, there is always an opportunity to do better by your braces or Invisalign every day of the year. It’s never too late to improve your orthodontic journey. Start now, start tomorrow, just start – your teeth and smile will thank you for it. Here are just some of the easiest resolutions you can adopt.
1. Brush and Floss Without Fail
It can be a little tedious flossing amid the hardware associated with conventional braces, which is why committing to a better routine and technique is a great resolution. Your orthodontist understands – but she also expects you to work around the limitations and get your teeth as clean as possible. Teeth move better when their environment is healthy, and the last thing you want is to have to get a filling and have your orthodontic treatment stalled.
- Brush every morning.
- Brush before bed.
- Brush after meals and snacks.
- Floss whenever you brush, if possible, but at least once a day.
- Rinse teeth with water if you are out and don’t have an opportunity to brush.
- Use orthodontic flossers or a floss threader.
- Rinse with cavity-fighting mouthwash.
- Carry interproximal brushes to get in tight spaces in a pinch.
Invisalign wearers, you can make a resolution to be better about brushing and flossing too. Your job is easy compared to patients who have brackets – remove aligners, brush and floss as usual, put the trays back in. Be diligent about cleaning your teeth after every meal and snack.
2. Visit Your General Dentist
An orthodontist can clean and examine your teeth, sure. But their job is to straighten your teeth. Your general dentist has the pleasure of sloughing off unwanted plaque and bacteria and all the food and gunk that gets stuck in your hardware. They also recognize signs of gingivitis, cavities, and other oral health problems that could interfere with your braces or Invisalign.
Don’t skip teeth-cleanings when you have braces or Invisalign. Now, more than ever, you need dental support. You already know how hard it is to keep your teeth clean when you have orthodontics. Your dentist’s cleaning will give you a fresh slate – some orthodontic patients even see their dentist more often than every six months to make sure their teeth are as clean and healthy as possible.
3. Prioritize Your Teeth
Your smile is tied directly to overall health and wellness. If your teeth look good, you’ll smile more, and smiling more makes you look better and feel better. Your relationship with your oral health comes full circle.
Be proud of your smile and resolve to do right by your teeth this year and every year, no matter how long you must wear your brackets or aligners:
- Keep every orthodontic appointment to stay on track.
- Change aligners according to plan.
- Wear rubber bands as instructed.
- Avoid hard, chewy, sticky foods.
- Get a customized mouthguard.
Need more resolutions for your braces or Invisalign? Contact Soleil Orthodontics in Woodinville, WA, to schedule a consultation or ask your questions.
