7 Bad Habits for Orthodontic Brackets Do’s and Don’ts

Orthodontic brackets are intended to help correct dental and oral abnormalities; however, their efficacy relies on proper maintenance. You will certainly achieve exceptional therapeutic outcomes if you are aware of the detrimental habits that should be avoided during orthodontic treatment.

As you start treatment, your orthodontist will give you a list of foods to avoid, the do’s and don’ts for caring for orthodontic brackets, and any extra precautions that need to be taken. If you stop the seven bad habits we list below, your teeth will be in their best condition sooner, and you will have a gorgeous smile.

1- Irregular brushing and bacterial accumulation between brackets and teeth  

To preserve the cleanliness of your brackets, there are crucial steps. You should always brush your teeth after eating, whether at work, a party, or on the road. Conversely, it is necessary to use a toothbrush that does not damage your brackets. If you don’t brush your teeth after every meal, free-living bacteria can grow and accumulate in your mouth and between your teeth and brackets, resulting in serious, long-term consequences such as tooth decay.

Don’t forget, this is to protect your teeth during orthodontic treatment and achieve the desired outcome. Remember to use an orthodontic interdental brush and appropriate toothpaste after every meal.

2- Aggressive brushing and damage to orthodontic brackets

Although we always emphasize proper brushing during orthodontic treatment as a principle of caring for orthodontic brackets, keep in mind that aggressive and hasty brushing may cause serious damage to your brackets. Your orthodontic brackets may move or even break depending on how much pressure you apply. Consequently, brush your teeth gently and slowly. Using an orthodontic interdental brush helps secure the condition of your brackets as well.

3- Skipping flossing

You run the risk of harming both your teeth and your brackets if you rely solely on brushing to take care of them. Only dental floss can eliminate certain interdental food particles and debris. We suggest flossing after every meal or, at the very least, once daily while undergoing an orthodontic treatment. For example, before going to bed is a good time you can clean your teeth and orthodontic brackets using dental floss.

4- Eating foods that are harmful to orthodontic brackets

When receiving orthodontic treatment, some people disregard food restrictions and eat foods that are extremely sticky or hard, which can break the orthodontic bracket. Make sure to consult your dentist or orthodontist regarding food restrictions. It is generally recommended to avoid hard or sticky foods to best protect your orthodontic braces or brackets. You can cook, puree, or grate food items before eating them to make it easier to get the nutrients your body needs.

5- Biting nails and foreign objects

Unfortunately, there are a series of habits that risk the well-being of your orthodontic brackets. For example, chewing your fingernails or putting pencils and pens in your mouth. Simply put, it is best to break such habits as soon as possible. An example of a solution is to wear gloves to fix nail biting.

6- Poor care of orthodontic brackets during exercise

Take special care of your orthodontic brackets and braces if you participate in potentially dangerous sports like judo, karate, boxing, or taekwondo. Undoubtedly, orthodontic treatments should not interfere with or force you to forgo other everyday activities. Exercise is one of the essentials that cannot avoid. However, maintaining your braces and orthodontic brackets is of equal importance. It is important to adhere to your orthodontist’s recommendations for appropriate physical activities during orthodontic treatment. If you engage in martial arts and heavy sports or suffer from bruxism, you are recommended to use orthodontic bracket guards.

7- Thumb sucking and dislocation of orthodontic brackets

Some people have a habit of sucking their fingers from infancy and carrying it over into childhood and adolescence. This bad habit changes the adjustment of orthodontic brackets, diminishing their effectiveness and negatively influencing the therapeutic outcomes.

It is recommended to visit your orthodontist regularly once a month to check the status of your bracket and overall dental health. Breaking the above-mentioned harmful habits helps you maintain your dental health and achieve the best therapeutic outcomes. If your child uses orthodontic brackets, it is important to monitor their behaviour to avoid harmful habits and get the most out of orthodontic treatment. If you have any particular experiences or questions related to this topic, please share them in the comments section of this article; we will provide you with an appropriate response as soon as possible.

FAQs about Bad Habits for Orthodontic Brackets