Occupational Orthodontics: 3 Tips for Wearing Braces to Work

Although we tend to think of orthodontics as being for teenagers, plenty of adults benefit from having braces. Over time, even the straightest smiles can shift out of alignment due to the constant pressure from chewing. This impacts more than just your appearance because crooked or overcrowded teeth are also harder to clean, which can cause dental dilemmas.

There’s no shame in undergoing treatment to improve your oral health, but you might worry about how to take care of the metal brackets while you’re working. Continue reading to learn 3 tips to help you maintain your orthodontics on the job!

Tip #1: Create a Kit

Braces have a long history of successfully realigning teeth because they allow for so much manipulation of movement, but they also require a lot of care. They’re prone to trapping food, rubbing raw spots in the tissues of your mouth, or breaking. Regardless of whether you’re at home or clocked in at the office, it’s important to have the right supplies to address whatever comes up.

Building a “Braces Kit” to keep at work ensures you’ll have the necessary items to handle any potential problems. You can include a travel-sized toothbrush, floss, toothpaste, dental wax, and non-aspirin pain relievers. It might also benefit you to keep an extra kit in the car, too, if you have a long commute.

Tip #2: Watch What You Eat

Because the metal wires and brackets can be broken or dislodged, your orthodontist probably provided you with a list of dietary restrictions to adhere to throughout your treatment. This might mean you’ll have to adjust a few of your eating habits in the office. For example, you might have grown accustomed to visiting the vending machine for a snack during the day or frequenting certain go-to lunch spots. Now, you might need to pack your lunch or pick specific meals off the menu to ensure you don’t indulge in anything that might injure your braces. Avoid anything overly hard, sticky, or sugary that can break them or attract unwanted bacteria.

Tip #3: Bring a Water Bottle

Sipping soda over longer periods can stain your teeth and wear down your orthodontics, so it’s best to steer clear of these dark, sweet beverages. Minimizing your intake can be challenging, but if you keep a water bottle close, you might be less tempted to stop by the break room for a refill. As an added benefit, drinking more H2O can keep your breath fresh throughout the day.

By making a few slight adjustments to your daily habits, you can stay on track with your treatment timeline whether you’re at home or in the office!

About the Practice

At Cartwright Orthodontics, you and your family benefit from two experts who take pride in helping people achieve perfectly straight, healthy smiles. Dr. Cartwright and Dr. Palmer share decades of combined experience and can address everything from slight issues to more severe misalignments. They combine a caring and compassionate approach with state-of-the-art equipment to enhance your comfort while increasing the accuracy of treatment results. To schedule an appointment, you can contact the office on the website or call (724) 942-5130.