The new year is a terrific time to come up with resolutions and make some changes to your daily routine. It can be hard to stick to your resolutions, but if you follow through, you will surely notice a difference! Read on for our resolution ideas for a healthier mouth, safe braces, and an aligned smile.
Resolutions for a healthy braces journey
1. Brush and floss after every meal.
You should already be doing this, but if not, we strongly recommend brushing and flossing after every meal. By not brushing and flossing, particles of food can remain trapped in the wires or brackets of your braces and lead to decay.
2. Don’t bite your nails or other hard things.
Biting your nails can bend wires and pop off brackets. The same goes for eating hard foods, such as apples and pretzels. Though it may be difficult, resist the urge to chew on ice once you finish your drink. Biting down on ice can damage both your teeth and appliances.
3. Don’t have too much sugar.
Sugary drinks like soda as well as snacks like cookies allow acids in the mouth to eat away at your enamel. Since having braces can make maintaining oral hygiene more difficult, high sugar diets make cavities more likely.
Resolutions for a clear aligner journey
1. Wear your aligners—no cutting corners!
If you cut corners, you’re only slowing down the process and setting yourself up for more time with your aligners. The more hours you wear your trays, the more normal they will feel. However, do remember to take them out before eating or drinking anything other than water and when brushing or flossing.
2. Don’t chew on your aligners.
Clear aligners are not toys. They are expensive pieces of equipment that are not convenient to replace. Because of this, do not chew on them, as this increases the chances of them breaking, warping, or getting damaged.
3. Keep your aligners clean and avoid heat.
Remember to clean your aligners (and wash the case!). Trays do get dirty from sitting in your mouth for hours on end. Always use cold water when washing them and avoid hot water as heat can melt and warp the plastic.
New Year’s resolutions can be hard to stick to. However, having healthy oral hygiene habits is crucial both for the short- and long-term. With some discipline, we know you’ll enjoy healthy results and a confident smile. From all of us at Hutta & Cook Orthodontics, we wish you a happy 2021!