Many people associate traditional braces with awkward teenagers, so it’s not a surprise that you might be a little anxious about wearing them to your place of work. Luckily, there are measures you can take to make complying with your orthodontic treatment easy while you’re on the job. Here’s a brief overview of the best ways to practice excellent oral hygiene while wearing braces during your workday.
Put Together a Braces Maintenance Kit
It’s important to brush after every meal while wearing braces, and keeping your wires and brackets clean can require a significant amount of hardware. Luckily, it’s easy to assemble a braces care kit that you can bring with you to work. Start with a small and easy-to-clean container and load it with supplies like:
- A toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Dental floss
- Travel-sized mouthwash
- Floss threaders
- Dental wax
- Chapstick
- Any required elastics or other appliances
- Over-the-counter pain medication
Drink Plenty of Water
Many workplaces have vending machines full of soda, sports drinks, and energy beverages. Unfortunately, all of these are bad for your teeth and can lead to decay and unsightly dental stains if you use them as primary beverages. Instead of having one of these sugary and acidic concoctions with lunch, bring a water bottle. You can invest in a reusable insulated bottle and fill it with ice and water each day at home, which can save you lots of money as opposed to spending two dollars on a sweet drink every day.
Don’t Chew on Office Supplies
Many people are in the habit of absentmindedly chewing on office supplies like erasers, writing utensils, and paperclips. Unfortunately, gnawing on these items is a great way to chip, crack, or break your teeth and bend your brackets and aligners out of shape, leading to dental emergencies and setbacks for your orthodontic treatment. Being mindful of this habit is the best way to break it.
Pack a Braces-Friendly Lunch
Foods that are too crunchy or sticky can break or dislodge the wires and brackets that make up your braces. When you pack your lunch, refrain from including crunchy snacks like chips and pretzels, snappy fruits and veggies like apples or raw carrots or celery, and chewy or hard candies. Instead, stick with softer foods that won’t bend your braces out of shape. Bananas are braces-friendly and a great way to get many of the nutrients you need to stay healthy.
Taking care of your braces at work will become second nature once you get used to it. By practicing these habits, you can keep your orthodontic treatment on track toward spectacular results.
About the Practice
Rauchberg Dental Group delivers exemplary oral care to the good people of Parsippany. Led by an experienced team of eight dentists, the staff is dedicated to providing effective treatments and improving patient’s lives. Services offered include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as traditional braces. For more information on complying with your orthodontic treatment at work, contact the office online or dial (973) 718-9887.