Congrats on taking the first step to getting a beautiful smile. Since you started wearing braces, you’ve been avoiding certain foods, you’ve been brushing carefully, and you’ve been flossing. Is there anything else you can do to minimize your chances of coming in for an emergency appointment? How about breaking some of these bad habits?
Chewing gum
Eating sugary, sticky candies like taffy and licorice
Drinking sugary drinks
Biting your nails
Chewing on ice
Gnawing on pens and pencils
Why you should eliminate these bad habits now:
Sticky, sugary snacks and drinks can increase tooth decay and cause cavities. Biting down on hard objects such as pens, pencils, and even your own nails can cause stress on your teeth and braces. They can also loosen wires and break brackets.
Tip:
When drinking sugary drinks such as soda, juices, and energy drinks, sip through a straw. Avoid all gum, even sugarless gum, as it can easily get caught in your braces.
If you happen to accidentally break your braces, please call us to schedule an appointment. As always, we are here to help.