Dental health is vital

Adapting Your Lifestyle to Wearing Braces

by Felecia Butler

Whether having them fitted as a teenager or later in life as an adult, orthodontic braces are the chance for a big improvement in your smile. Until you get the results you're hoping for, however, you're going to need to put up with wearing braces for a while. The exact timespan will depend on the type of braces and the exact treatment, but it's never an overnight process.

In the meantime, it's important that you try and keep life as normal as possible. After all, nobody wants to give up their favourite activities while they undergo orthodontic treatment. In most cases, there's no need to change your lifestyle a great deal. Just make sure you're prepared to make any necessary changes, depending on what you like to do.

Sports and exercise

If you play any contact sports, there's an obvious risk to both your teeth and your braces. Most people who play contact sports will already be in the habit of wearing a mouthguard, which is understandably even more important now.

Even non-contact sports and various forms of exercise can be risky, however. If there's any chance you might fall or accidentally have some sort of impact to the mouth area, a guard is a good idea.

For people who already have a mouthguard, you may find you need a new one made to fit over the braces, so ask your orthodontist for advice.

Eating out

You can still eat out at restaurants, but you might need to change where you go or what you order. Tough, chewy foods like steak are out, as are anything that can get lodged in your braces.

Stick to food that's soft, easy to eat, and involves minimal chewing. Make sure friends and family know you might need to start eating at different places for a while, and find out which restaurants nearby have suitable dishes.

Going to work

Obviously, you can't take time off work simply because you've had braces fitted. The main thing you'll need to change is that you'll have to arrange the time to clean around your braces after eating, so make sure your break times will allow this.

You should also assemble a kit with interdental brushes, mouthwash and toothpaste to take to work with you daily.

Playing an instrument

If you play a wind instrument, depending on whether it's woodwind or brass, you might find it difficult to play as normal at first. However, most people manage to adapt over a short time.

It might be possible to remove your braces while you play, but you should only do this if you've talked to your orthodontist about it and they've said it's okay. If you have a music teacher, you should also let them know in advance that you're getting braces fitted.

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