Blog — traditional braces

Foods to be avoided at Halloween 0

With the witching hour approaching many children and teenagers will be planning their outfits and celebrations for Halloween.  

Whether they are going out trick or treating or attending a party there will be lots of tasty treats around to tempt them. Whilst undergoing orthodontic treatment certain foods need to be avoided due to the damage they cause to the appliances.

What Happens If Your Brace Snaps? 0

If you have had fixed appliances fitted whether it be on the front of your teeth or behind your teeth then you will have been given wear and care instructions on the day they were fitted.  

At this point we always advise to check your appliances daily to ensure nothing has come off and any additional items we may have added to the appliance are intact. Breakages can occur for a variety of reasons but the most common reason is that the patient has bitten into something they shouldn’t have.

Holiday Guide To Looking After Your Braces 0

With half term approaching we thought we would put together a few hints and tips on brace care for those of you that are heading away from home for a week or two. 

Holiday Care for Your Dental Braces 0

The summertime is here which means that many of us will be packing our suitcases and jetting off to more exotic locations. However, though your holiday is a chance to take a well-earned break from your day-to-day home life, it doesn’t mean you can take a break from your braces.

The temptation may be there, but it’s important to take the proper care of your braces wherever you may be - after all they’re an investment to help you achieve the perfectly straight and healthy smile you want! Not taking the proper care could prolong your treatment time

Additionally, you may not have access to your orthodontist or orthodontic provisions should a problem arise with your braces or oral health, so it’s best to make sure you’re prepared before you travel. Here are our top tips on what to do if you’re going away and how to take care of your braces and oral health:

Your holiday orthodontic packing list

There are a few essentials you’ll need to pack to take away with you. Be sure to keep these wherever you go on your holiday, in a waterproof bag if you’ll be by the pool or on the beach:

• A travel-sized toothbrush
• Orthodontic wax to help with any discomfort from your braces
• Travel-sized mouthwash
• Dental floss
• A compact mirror to help resolve any issues

These items will help you keep your teeth clean and your braces in top condition throughout your holiday. However, it’s a good idea to be careful about what you eat to avoid any potential damage to your brackets and wires which will be difficult to manage whilst away.

Your orthodontist should have advised you on the certain foods that should be avoided whilst wearing braces, such as hard foods like nuts or raw vegetables, and chewy or sticky foods like caramel or sweets. Being sensible whilst you’re on holiday will minimise the risk of damaging your braces as you may not be able to get them fixed immediately.

If anything should happen to your braces whilst you’re away, you’ll need to visit your orthodontist as soon as possible in order to get them repaired. If you’d like any more advice on caring for your braces, you can call the Northenden House practice on 0161 998 2622 or email us at info@manchesterorthodontics.co.uk. Alternatively you can use our simple online contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

How Celebrities and Social Media Are Making Dental Braces More Popular 0

Dental braces have traditionally never been a popular thing. In fact, they’re notoriously associated with the opposite – awkward teenagers dreading being known as the ‘brace-face’ or ‘metal-mouth’ amongst their group. However dental braces have come a long way since their big and bulky ancestors; modern braces are now much smaller and less noticeable, and newer technologies allow for faster, more comfortable treatments. Whereas a few decades ago, people would pass up on the opportunity to have braces as they’d be anxious about their appearance, they have now become a much more accepted treatment for teens and adults alike.  

A major influencing factor in the gaining popularity of dental braces is the celebrity uptake. Many Hollywood stars, singers, sporting legends and even royals have embraced the brace in their bid to wow their audiences with a perfectly straight smile. And not just in their teenage years – Tom Cruise, Nicholas Cage and Gwen Stefani have all opted for braces as adults, in view of the public. That train tracks have become accepted in the celebrity sphere where up keeping appearances is a must, provides people with positive encouragement to wear braces and improve their oral health and smile.

Though celebrities straightening their teeth with orthodontics is no new thing, social media coverage has really help to boost support on the braces front. TV presenter and Loose Women panellist, Andrea McLean, recently decided to have braces fitted alongside her 14-year-old son Finlay. Although she avoided having them as a teenager, as they were no-popular thing, the positive encouragement she and her son have received on social media greatly shows the increased acceptance of dental braces and their more positive cultural appeal.

Thank you for all your kind comments about my braces today on @loosewomen
Fin and I are now Brace Faces together! pic.twitter.com/6W5gu7OKiu

— Andrea McLean (@andrea_mclean) February 4, 2016

As a widely used and extremely effective treatment, many people are now choosing to advocate wearing braces on social sites such as Twitter and Facebook, posting pictures of their newly fitted appliances and taking their friends and followers through their journey to a straighter set of teeth. Ultimately social sites are offering those wearing dental braces a community, where there is a newfound confidence that comes with improving their smiles. From traditional metal, to brightly coloured and natural-looking ceramic braces, there are many dental braces available to suit your needs to get the smile you’ve always wanted. You can see case studies of some of our patients with ceramic braces here, or contact us on 0161 998 2622 to discuss your requirements and book a consultation.