Most people know that the main orthodontic treatments meant for aligning crooked teeth are conventional braces or Invisalign. Traditional braces are great because they offer precision when it comes to rectifying tooth defects from an early age. Few people, however, know about the existence of lingual brackets.
This is probably because even the orthodontists do not offer them that often. Unlike their conventional counterparts, lingual braces are installed in the inside of the teeth, which makes them invisible. However, this also means that they come with their own set of challenges.
1. Handling irritation
Most people report having tongue irritation when their lingual braces are new. This is because the wires and brackets are on the inside of the mouth and the tongue takes time to get used to the foreign object. However, with time, the tongue does get used to the braces inside the mouth. To avoid the extreme soreness when using these braces, apply wax to cover the lower teeth when the braces are new. As the teeth get used to the braces, you will not need to do a lot of the coverage.
2. Professional dental cleaning
Another considerable challenge which comes when you are using braces is the fact that since they are on the inner side of the teeth, it is tough to reach them and clean food particles when they get stuck there. However, using a powerful mouthwash and brushing after all meals is recommended to prevent the buildup of plaque which could lead to tooth decay. Additionally, orthodontists recommend that all patients with braces have their teeth cleaned at least once every six months to remove all the accumulated plaque. Remember that braces are left in for up to three years, so professional cleaning is necessary.
3. General mouth soreness
In addition to the tongue getting sore from wearing braces, it is common for people with lingual brackets to have sore gums and spaces between the teeth. This is because of the sharp edges of the wires scraping soft tissue. Warm rinses with salt water help soothe these sores. Wearing silicone pads is also another protective measure to reduce swelling and inflammation.
Those are the few problems which you can expect to encounter when you start using lingual braces. Note that as you get used to them, it will become simpler to handle having them and speaking will become progressively easy. Regular communication with the orthodontist will also help fix any problems which occur in the first few weeks after you get the braces.
For many years, I hated the way my teeth looked. They always looked discoloured so I would do everything I could to hide my smile. On family photos, my mom would always complain that I never gave a grin like my brothers and sisters. When I graduated college, I decided I needed to take action. I contacted my local dental surgery and asked them about tooth whitening treatments. The dentist was great and gave me all of the info I needed. After the treatment, my smile was like a million dollars. I decided to start this blog to educate others about the benefits of teeth whitening and other dental treatments.