Today we live in a much more open society, there is less prejudice on many issues than several decades ago, many intimacies are disclosed on the network and, in general, we are less shy to ask, comment and share intimate experiences that our parents would not have thought of sharing. On this occasion we are going to clarify, from a medical-dental point of view, some doubts that exist, that are asked in forums and that we are asked in IMOI Clinics about brackets and sex .
A few days ago we already addressed a similar topic and you can read or recommend reading it if you have an acquaintance who might find it useful: Dentures and sex
Can I use a condom if my partner wears braces, Can I have oral sex with braces, Can the wires jump out and damage my partner’s penis, Can I use a condom if my partner wears braces, Can I have oral sex with braces, Can the wires jump out and damage my partner’s penis? All these questions and more, you can solve them in this post and if you have any questions about this topic leave your comment so we can answer you.
Attention! This article about braces and sex is for ages 16 and older. If you do not already have them, show this content to your parents or guardians before reading it.
Leave us your comments at the end of the article about your experience with braces; we will answer your questions.
Braces and sex. Do braces affect my sex life?
What do we need to know if we want to lead a sex life like we used to? Is there any reason to be inhibited? Should we take any precautions if we wear braces with sex? Is braces and sex a good match?
Let’s address the topic of braces and sex, a topic that many adults think about before starting orthodontic treatment, and rarely discuss. As we have already mentioned, the most common place where we find these questions is on Internet forums thanks to the peace of mind of anonymity. Then we feel free to ask questions that are more difficult to ask in person. It is also one of the concerns that some of the women who come to our clinic have, mainly the “young” ones.
Thank you for sharing this very interesting publication!
The answer to this question is not easy and is full of nuances. Sex life is not something schematic and with the same rules for everyone. It will always depend on the person and sexual partners. On the one hand, the types of practices performed are influenced by the tastes and prejudices of each person, and the type of orthodontic treatment applied(vestibular or lingual, metal brackets, attachments, etc.). A priori, if there are sharp elements or edges, it can be said that caution should be exercised as a minimum.
In episode 15 of the 3rd season of Sex and the City, Miranda’s 34-year-old character is fitted with metal braces to improve a craniomandibular dysfunction. And after 1 week you have to remove the devices due to a lack of security at the time of binding.
It is true that wearing braces can be awkward, and you need a period of adaptation of a couple of months at most to be able to kiss someone normally. The brackets themselves do not bother for this unless we have an attachment on the palate … But it is possible that the other person is the one who is more uncomfortable for fear of cutting or noticing something on the tongue. For this, trust in the couple and being able to talk about everything is fundamental. It’s just getting practice, that’s all.
If you need a lot of wax to alleviate the discomfort of the brackets, your orthodontist may be able to put in some more durable material or even alleviate some areas with a polish.
With a little patience, it will be as if you were not wearing braces.
Something very important to keep in mind in order to remain sexually appetizing is to maintain an exquisite hygiene of the brackets. After each meal it is necessary to brush thoroughly and remove any food that remains between the appliances (there are interproximal brushes and appropriate dental floss). For us it is very important that you do not get cavities between your teeth and for your partner it is very important that you keep your breath fresh. If you smoke or vape (smoke cigarettes) you will need to prioritize your oral hygiene even more. Read this article on vaping to learn more about smoke cigarettes and dental health.
Achtung! Attention! Attention! Oral sex only for experts…
If we go around the Internet forums, to see what concerns people have about braces and sex, we can read things like, “My husband is afraid I’ll go down there with braces.” No wonder… Men are always very sensitive when it comes to “it”. Some couples may be willing to postpone these sexual activities for 1 or 2 years and engage in other activities. In fact, it could be taken as a stimulus to open the imagination and try other things. However, if we are determined to overcome this level, the obvious recommendation is to have overcome the “kissing” phase perfectly. Any scratch and the action is over. So little by little and giving time to both people to gain confidence.
In this topic you can use the wax as in the previous section, refine the technique making sure to cover all the brackets with the lips and let a large amount of saliva flow. The problem comes for sure when wearing lingual orthodontics, molar clasps, lingual buttons, arch expanders in the palate… In these cases the most sensible thing to do is to avoid oral sex. It will be less traumatic and is temporary. Regarding the wax, which is quite a hassle to put on, a silicone protector has been invented and can be purchased on the Internet called Morgan Bumper.
Some readers on the Internet suggest practicing with some foods… it would be a good way to know what will happen to your partner. I leave this open to your imagination.
If we think about safe sex and in our sexual relations we use condoms, we must pay special attention not to scratch the surface of the condom, so it would be highly recommended to change it before penetration to ensure that no scratches have been made.
I hope I have contributed to improve your expectations. Take this as a challenge to improve your couple’s sex life. Perhaps the change of habits will bring you new pleasures. The most important thing is communication with the partner, creativity and sense of humor.
And when are they the protagonists of the sexual game?
Probably not that risky… but still, in relation to braces and sex, on the Internet you read, “I’m afraid that some hair will get caught in the brackets!!!”
The obvious solution would be to go for a total hair removal or a more fashionable trimming where the hairs are shorter and there will not be as much of a problem. But if it’s not an option for her then you have to suck it up and be more careful.
Safe sex and oral health
Proper hygiene will prevent gum inflammation. Any oral infection can put you and your partner’s health at risk, especially when oral sex is involved. Bleeding gums or ulcers may appear, in which case you should visit the IMOI for evaluation. Be aware that many sexually transmitted diseases are spread through mouth sores.
Some orthodontic appliances make them more susceptible to Candida infections. Especially those that are fixed on the palate, making hygiene difficult. Candida is a fungus naturally present in moist areas of the body, the problem comes when it proliferates and causes infection. If you develop oral thrush and have sexual intercourse during this time, you could transmit the yeast infection to your partner, especially if your partner has a low immune system. Candidiasis can appear in the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary tract, and sometimes in the skin.
Good oral hygiene and good eating habits also help to have safe sex, especially if you wear braces. Here are some tips on foods that will help you kiss better
- Drinking fluoridated water washes away unpleasant particles and strengthens the health of tooth enamel.
- Drink herbal tea for daytime appointments. Teas with coriander, mint or eucalyptus help fight halitosis. These infusions are an excellent digestive and leave behind an irresistible breath.
- Eat citrus fruits, berries, melons and other foods rich in vitamin C . They create an inhospitable environment for bacterial growth. It also prevents gum disease such as gingivitis, one of the main causes of bad breath.
- Eat pieces of apples. The apple acts against the accumulation of dental plaque – the cause of odors – by increasing saliva production and rinsing your mouth.
- Have a yogurt for breakfast. This food reduces the level of odor caused by hydrogen sulfide in the mouth, reduces bacteria and prevents gum disease.
5 tips for learning to kiss with braces (for those who don’t wear them)
- Don’t be impatient and wait 2 weeks before you start testing. Take advantage of it before. Let your partner get used to the novelty in his or her mouth.
- Keep your lips closed while you start kissing. Do not rush to stick your tongue in at first. Do things gently until you get used to it. At first run over her closed lips if you feel comfortable go to the next step. Take it easy
- It warms up the atmosphere a little. Squeeze your lips nicely to your partner’s lips. Do not do it hard, as you can damage the gums and lips. If you feel comfortable you can kiss each other with more passion, but only with your lips, leave the tongue for later, don’t get impatient. If you both wear braces, be careful with the pressure on your lips and gums.
- The next step. If you decide to use your tongue, try to keep your lips wide open so that they do not “bump” against the brackets. At the beginning it should be tested very gently. Afterwards you will see that the sensation is better. If you both wear braces don’t worry about them getting stuck, they are not magnetic at the moment.
- Do not eat hard foods before kissing. Hard, sticky or crunchy foods can stick to the brackets and be a bad experience for your partner.
In short, braces and sex are compatible. Wearing braces does not have to mean the end of certain sexual pleasures. Rather, it can be taken as accelerated practice to perfect your technique. The challenge must be seen as an opportunity for improvement. And if they still don’t dare, that’s okay. As soon as the devices are removed, they will come back with more enthusiasm.
