Braces can be a big change, especially as an adult. You've lived your entire life without them, creating daily habits that didn't include caring for something attached to your teeth. It can be a bit challenging getting used to them, as well as learning to care for your teeth while they're on. But it's also well worth it. One challenge adults with braces can face is going to work with them. Below you'll find five tips for going back to work with braces that will help you adjust to your new day-to-day schedule. 

1. Create a Braces Care Kit:You can't stop caring for your braces just because you're at work. Bringing a braces care kit to work with you is a great way to ensure that you have everything you need to keep your teeth clean and healthy while you're at work. Braces can trap food, so bring a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, and dental floss in order to keep your teeth clean and healthy. Use this kit to clean your teeth after your lunch break or snack. You may also want to pack some pain relievers for the first few days after you get your braces put on. Also remember to bring some dental wax to put on your braces and chapstick or vaseline in case your lips get dry. This care kit is small, easy to pack and store, and it'll come in handy. 
At your fitting visit we will supply you with everything you need.

2. Bring a Water Bottle: Bring a water bottle or visit a vending machine for a few throughout the day. Drinking plenty of water is always a good idea for your overall health, but drinking water can also help rinse away food particles and keep you from reaching for drinks you should stay away from. 

3. Be Mindful of What You Eat: During the days immediately after getting your braces put on, you want to stick to soft foods like scrambled eggs, pasta, or smoothies. After that, you should still avoid hard foods, sticky foods, sugar, and foods you have to bite into. It's very helpful to bring lunch from home. This way you have more control over what you eat, and you can cut your food into more manageable sized pieces. It might not sound like fun, packing a lunch if you're not used to it, but it'll be worth it. However, if you don't want to do that, you should find a place that serves appropriate food and make it your new delicious go-to lunch spot until your braces are removed. 

4. Keep Things Away From Your Mouth: If you're a nervous chewer, you'll need to break the habit. If your job requires you to keep a lot of pens or pencils lying around, make sure they never enter your mouth. You must resist the urge to chew on them or your fingernails. Chewing on hard objects can potentially damage your braces, which may lead to repairs or extra visits. 

5. Smile, and be Confident: Sure, your smile isn't perfect yet, but that's no reason to hide your pearly whites. Don't be ashamed of your braces. You should be proud of them. You're making a change and bettering yourself, and there is absolutely no shame in that. Plus, one of the great things is that the wire in your braces are the color of your teeth and brackets are clear, so they're barely visible. It's not like you're smiling with a bunch of shiny, silver metal brackets in your mouth. 
Use these helpful tips to adjust to work-life with braces, and pretty soon it'll become second nature.

Diabetes and your Oral Health
Most health experts say that Ireland is facing a huge increase in the number of people with diabetes.
Studies have also shown  that a majority of gum disease sufferers were found to be at high risk of developing diabetes.The researchers found that individuals with elevated levels of periodontal disease were nearly twice as likely to become diabetic within 20 years, even after adjusting for age, smoking, obesity and diet.
Diabetic patients with poor blood sugar level control are likely to have gum disease more frequently and also in a much more severe manner.
Good oral hygiene is KEY for patients with diabetes as gingivitis (the early stage of gum disease) can be treated and reversed. However if left untreated, periodontitis (the advanced stage) can occur which in turn may lead to bone loss(foundation around tooth) and tooth loss.

What can you do?
Diabetic patients need to pay much more attention to their oral health and ensure a visit to us every six months for a full dental health check and a thorough cleaning of your teeth. You should also inform us if you have recently been diagnosed with diabetes and ask for advice on keeping your mouth healthy.