Clear Braces and the Aftercare Needed To Maintain Them

Clear braces are a more discreet teeth straightening option than traditional metal braces. Metal braces have been around for decades, and they remain the most effective way to tackle most teeth alignment issues. However, metal braces are conspicuous and can make you self-conscious about your appearance. They are made up of metal brackets and wires that look like miniature railway tracks on your teeth.

The look of traditional metal braces can be enough to lead to some adults refusing to get the teeth straightening treatments they need simply to avoid dealing with the stares people who wear metal braces often deal with.

Also known as ceramic braces, clear braces have the same components as metal braces. The metal parts are swapped out with more aesthetic options to make it harder to notice the braces. Instead of metal brackets and wires, the patient can get tooth-colored or transparent brackets and wires. Clear braces can be used to tackle many of the same issues that metal braces treat, but they are not as durable since metallic parts are stronger than the tooth-colored parts of clear braces.

Taking care of your clear braces

Many people choose clear braces because they are harder to notice than metal braces. The benefit diminishes when the braces become stained as their tooth-colored or transparent components become more visible.

Simple things patients can do to keep their ceramic braces stain-free include:

• Brush at least twice daily: Good oral hygiene is essential when wearing any type of braces since food particles and bacteria can get stuck underneath the appliance’s brackets and wires. Brushing twice a day also helps to remove stains caused by the coloring agents in foods and beverages before they permanently stain the appliance
• Flossing daily: Flossing also helps to remove food particles and bacteria from around the appliance. This helps to protect the patient’s teeth against tooth decay since bacteria convert the sugars in food particles stuck on teeth into acids that damage teeth
• Avoid tannin-rich foods and beverages: Some foods and beverages have powerful coloring agents that can stain teeth. Examples of such items include beets, tomato sauce, coffee, and red wine. Consuming such foods and drinks regularly will eventually lead to a person’s clear braces becoming stained. The effect of such foods can be minimized by rinsing the mouth with water after consuming them
• Show up for scheduled appointments: Braces need to be adjusted periodically to ensure the patient’s teeth are getting the right amount of force exerted on them. These visits also provide a chance for the dentist to address any issues like stains on the patient’s braces

Discreetly straighten your teeth with clear braces

The better you take care of your clear braces, the harder it will be for anyone to notice you even have them. Thinking about giving clear braces a try? Contact our Benicia clinic to set up an appointment.

Request an appointment here: https://beniciadentist.com or call Southampton Dental Care at (707) 887-5075 for an appointment in our Benicia office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Clear Braces in Benicia, CA.