You and your Woodinville orthodontist are tight. After so many regular visits, you get to know each other well, you get used to a routine, you build appointments into your schedule or your child’s schedule. Now, though, in this COVID-19 world, you’re quarantined. Your orthodontist is there in emergencies, but right now you’re responsible for taking care of your braces on your own. Here are the best ways to cope.
Brush and Floss Meticulously
It’s more important than ever to practice good oral hygiene. If you wear brackets and wires, you must meticulously clean around the hardware. Don’t slack, assuming your orthodontist or dentist will take care of the spots you missed. If you wear Invisalign, clean your aligners as you always have, no shortcuts. Brush your teeth several times a day and floss at least once a day to keep your teeth white and clean and avoid irritated gums.
Observe Food Restrictions
You may be tempted to stress eat right now and indulge a little. Don’t be tempted by the restricted foods for orthodontic patients. Avoid the crunchy, chewy, sticky, or hard foods – the last thing you want to do is break a bracket or wire and need to schedule an emergency visit to your Woodinville orthodontist. Also, continue to remove Invisalign for every meal and snack and beverage besides water to keep the aligners clean, fresh, and unstained.
Keep on Keeping On
Wear your elastic rubber bands as your orthodontist has prescribed. And continue to change your Invisalign aligners about every two weeks, according to your plan. If you need more rubber bands or are waiting for your next sets of aligners, contact your orthodontist for instructions about how to make this happen. Don’t stop wearing your last set of Invisalign aligners or make any changes without your orthodontist’s approval.
Fix Small Problems on Your Own
Orthodontic wax is a must for anyone who wears conventional braces. If a wire begins to cause discomfort by jabbing your cheek or gum, wax can be an effective temporary solution and alleviate any discomfort. If you are running low on wax, your local pharmacy may stock some or you can contact your orthodontist to arrange a way to get some.
Remember, You’re on Camera
The biggest way that so many people are connecting with each other now is through a screen. Whether you’re on Zoom or Messenger for work or for fun, whether you’re snapping pictures or taking videos of yourself and posting them on Snapchat or Tik Tok, your teeth are out there. Your braces are a featured performer.
It’s in your best interest to keep your orthodontic treatment looking good and working properly. COVID-19 has derailed so many things, but it doesn’t have to derail your tooth-alignment success.
At Soleil Orthodontics, we are here for you, and we are ready to help you maintain your straight smile. If you have an emergency, question, or concern, contact orthodontist Dr. Soleil Roberts in Woodinville, Washington.
