Post orthodontic dental care tips

1. TIPS TO CARE FOR STRAIGHTENED TEETH AFTER ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT Presented by Dr D.Sendhilnathan, MDS, DNB.,

2. Overview Why do we need post-orthodontic dental care? #1 Get Professional Dental Cleaning #2 Cut down certain hard food items #3 Endulge in actions to prevent gum recession #4 Wear Retainers #5 Don’t forget the teeth cleaning routine at home

3. Why do we need post-orthodontic dental care? • The straightened teeth are vulnerable to move back to their original position. This will undo the result of the orthodontic treatment. • Hence it is important to indulge in post-orthodontic dental care activities to maintain the alignment procured with dental braces.

4. 1) Get Professional Dental Cleaning • Cleaning the teeth while wearing orthodontic braces in quite difficult. The stain causing agents take advantage of this situation and discolour the teeth. It causes yellowish teeth after wearing off the braces. • In-office dental cleaning is mandatory for people who had orthodontic treatment to get in-office dental cleaning to sparkle their aligned teeth.

5. 2) Cut down certain hard food items • The teeth need to be adjusted to the new position. Teeth sensitivity is also common after removing the dental braces. A strong bite on the teeth may end up in adverse effects. • Hence it is better to avoid hard, chewy and sticky food items. Likewise, don’t prefer food items at extremely hot or cold temperatures until the teeth sensitivity goes off.

6. 3) Endulge in actions to prevent gum recession Dental braces worn around the gum surfaces for a long time will aggregate the gum tissues and pushes back the gum surfaces. It leads to gum recession and makes the teeth’s inner regions visible. The pressure applied on the teeth with braces also cause pain in the jaw and its surrounding muscles. • Tips to avert such discomforts: • Avoid hard and chewy food items • Don’t clench or grind your teeth • Prefer Toothbrush with soft bristles or electric toothbrush to clean your teeth

7. 4) Wear Retainers • The teeth become anchored with one side of the jaw bone after wearing off the dental brace. We have to apply pressure on the teeth like the orthodontic appliance did until the new bone formed. • It can be done by wearing the retainers for at least one year after removing the braces

8. 5) Don’t forget the teeth cleaning routine at home The simple way to make the straightened teeth healthy is maintaining teeth cleaning habits like brushing twice a day, regular flossing, tongue cleaning, rinsing mouth after every meal and others.

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