6 Tips On Caring For Metal Braces For Teenagers & Young Adults

Are you looking for an article that can teach you how to care for your newly metal braces? If so, you have come to the right place! Having metal braces on for the first time can feel awkward and painful, but within time, you’ll be taking care of your metal braces like a pro! 

Despite the unpleasant feeling that braces can create, the magic they'll do to your teeth is amazing! With that being said, let's jump into how you can take care of those awesome metal braces for the first time. 

Here are several ways to care for your metal braces for teenagers and young adults: 

1. Avoid Eating Certain Foods With Your Metal Braces 

It's time to take a break from eating hard and chewy foods. Yes, I know; certain scrumptious foods make it so hard for us not to indulge! However, when you avoid eating certain foods while having metal braces, it can prevent damage from being caused to your metal braces. 

According to Healthline.com, chewy and hard foods can cause damage to the wires and bands. It can also cause damage to a bracket which can lead the bracket to separate from a tooth. 

Therefore, it is important to avoid eating hard, chewy, and sticky foods such as gum, beef jerky, popcorn, chips, ice, or bagels. There are also plenty of other foods you should avoid to prevent damage to your metal braces including pizza crust, pretzels, nuts, etc. 

Despite the lists of foods you should avoid eating with your braces, there are also foods you can it with them. You can consume soft foods including soups, yogurt, mashed potatoes, pudding, and soft cheese. You can also eat muffins, meatballs, and salmon. Therefore, you should stick to eating foods that are soft while having your braces. 

At the end of the day, if you choose to continue to eat hard and chewy foods while having your braces, it is totally up to you. Just keep in mind that you should be cautious about the foods you decide to eat. 

2. Brush and Floss Your Teeth While Having Braces 

It is important to brush and floss your teeth after every meal; most importantly, you should be brushing and flossing your teeth at least two times a day. 

Let's be real; there are times when some of us would skip brushing our teeth. Even though it isn't something we should do, we do it anyway. However, the case is different when you have metal braces. When you have braces, it is easier for food particles to become trapped in your teeth which can lead to plaque, cavities, and any other oral health problems. 

If you want to maintain your oral health while having your braces, it is important to brush and floss your teeth. You should brush your teeth gently to prevent damage to your braces. You could also use a mouthwash to get rid of excess food particles or other bacteria. To add on, you can use handy products to brush and floss your teeth while wearing braces such as a Waterpik or an electric toothbrush. 

If you want to keep your teeth and gums healthy while having your braces, you should brush and floss! Keep those teeth sparkly with those awesome braces!

3. Use Dental Wax or Pain Killers For Soreness From Braces 

Are you experiencing soreness from your metal braces? If so, don't worry. Experiencing pain while having braces is normal. In addition, in order to minimize the soreness associated with your braces, you can take a painkiller such as Advil or Tylenol to ease the pain. You can also try other painkillers that work for you and stick to them. 

Your orthodontist has also probably given you a dental wax. You can use dental wax to ease the irritation associated with your braces. 

4. Wear A Mouthguard When Playing Sports 

For those that enjoy playing sports, I have some great news! Despite wearing braces, you are still able to participate in many sports. However, you should still take caution when taking part in sports.

Therefore, before you decide to pick up a basketball, volleyball, or soccer ball, you should wear a mouthguard. Wearing a mouthguard while having braces when playing sports can protect your braces from becoming damaged. It can also protect your teeth and mouth when participating in outdoor activities. 

As long as you wear a mouthguard, playing sports should be fine! If you choose not to wear a mouthguard during sports, you should be careful. 

5. Visit Your Orthodontist For Problems Associated With Your Braces 

If you are experiencing any troubles with your braces, such as the loosening of brackets, bands, or a protruding wire, you should schedule an appointment with your orthodontist. 

Therefore, you should never try to fix the problem on your own. You can prevent further damage from happening to your braces by not trying to solve the problem by yourself. If anything, your orthodontist would perform the proper procedures to fix the issues associated with your braces. 

To add on, it is common for those that have braces to schedule an appointment with their orthodontist every four to eight weeks. By doing this, your orthodontist will be able to make adjustments and to make sure that everything going on with your teeth is okay. 

6. Wear A Retainer Once Your Braces Are Removed 

Wearing a retainer once your braces have been removed is important. There are several people, including myself, who have refused to wear a retainer after the removal of braces. This is the biggest mistake you could make. When you choose not to wear a retainer, your teeth will slowly move into their original position.

Therefore, you would have to go through the process of wearing braces all over again. If you choose not to get braces, you would have to look for other options to correct your teeth, such as wearing clear aligners. This could cost lots of money and could be a waste of time. 

However, you can prevent your teeth from shifting out of place by wearing a retainer that your orthodontist has created for you. Wearing a retainer will keep your teeth in position once the braces have been removed. It is recommended that you should wear your retainer at all times unless your orthodontist has stated otherwise. 

To sum things up, having braces for the first time can feel awkward and painful. Therefore, it will take some time to get used to. Luckily, there are several tips you can do to care for your metal braces as a teenager and a young adult until they are removed. 

Before you know it, your braces will be taken off and you can flaunt those sparkly teeth and that beautiful smile to the world!