Struggling to take care of your braces? It can be frustrating and challenging to keep them in pristine condition. You aim for a seamless and easy braces treatment journey, and we’re here to offer expert guidance to help you!
Keep reading for essential advice on how to properly look after your braces:
Clean Your Brackets and Wires Thoroughly
Maintaining oral hygiene with braces can be a challenge, but it’s essential for preventing cavities and other dental issues. To take care of your brackets, wires, and teeth, clean them properly and follow your orthodontist’s instructions closely.
Brushing your teeth vigorously twice a day is the best way to keep teeth, gums, and braces clean. Use a soft-bristled brush to avoid irritating your gums while brushing around the brackets and wires. Spend extra time cleaning around the archwire and steel bands, as these areas are prone to food buildup. Make sure to brush at least three times per day after every meal if possible.
Flossing is also important when you have braces; be sure to get between all of your wirings and replace floss that has become frayed or snagged on any sharp edges of the appliance. You might want to use a special floss threader if you wear a lingual or self-ligating orthodontic appliance. If necessary, ask your orthodontist for guidance on how often you should floss with braces and for any additional tips for keeping them spotless!
Take the Time to Properly Brush and Floss Your Teeth
It is especially important for those wearing braces to brush and floss their teeth regularly. Food particles and plaque buildup can become trapped in the brackets or wires and cause gum inflammation, tooth decay, and even bad breath. Taking extra care to properly brush your teeth when you have braces is essential for following healthy dental practices.
It recommended that people with braces always use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to clean their teeth at least twice a day. Bristles should be aimed at the brackets, but angling the brush down towards the gums as well, ensuring all debris buildup is removed. It’s important to maintain a regular oral hygiene regime of brushing after meals and before bed each night in order to avoid complications while wearing braces.
In addition, individuals must also floss twice a day in order to prevent any gum problems or cavities from arising due to food particles being stuck between wire supports or on surfaces of molars or other teeth. Flossing correctly when wearing braces requires patience as it is difficult to work navigating through all of the wires with standard floss, however, special orthodontic flossers make this process much easier and more efficient. Taking the time to properly brush and floss your teeth yields great results over time in terms of having a clean, healthy mouth with evenly spaced straightened teeth!
Make Sure You Wear Your Mouth Guard
It is important to wear a mouthguard during sports and other activities that have the potential for physical contact. Oral injuries resulting from an impact on the mouth can be very serious, so it is important to take the necessary preventive measures. A mouth guard should cover both the upper and lower parts of your mouth and must fit properly.
There are several types of guards available; your orthodontist will be able to help determine which type is right for you. It is important that you wear your guard every time you participate in any activity which may pose a risk of oral injury. Additionally, it’s safe to practice to:
- Inspect your guard regularly for damage or warping, and
- Replace it as needed.
Watch What You Eat
When it comes to taking care of your braces, watching what you eat can make a big difference. Consuming certain kinds of food that are hard to bite or chew can damage the hardware attached to your teeth and loosen bands or brackets that keep the archwires in place. In addition to being careful about food, we recommend avoiding any kind of sticky substances such as gum, candy, and caramels for the duration of your treatment.
It’s important to limit chewing on hard items such as ice, nuts, or corn-on-the-cob as these can damage the wires, brackets, and bands and cause pain. Hard candies and nuts are common culprits; even though they may seem soft in texture they still contain hard components. Also, avoid eating overly crunchy foods like apples or carrots – these should be cut into small pieces prior to eating them.
In general, try sticking with soft foods such as
- mashed potatoes
- yogurt
- oatmeal
- pasta dishes with soft sauces
- freshly steamed vegetables (cut where needed)
Remember also that having braces doesn’t mean giving up on snacks altogether! Many sweet treats like cake, and cookies are still allowed.
Always Listen to Your Orthodontist
It is incredibly important to follow your orthodontist’s instructions in order to properly care for your braces. Cleaning and maintaining your braces regularly will prevent staining and discoloration. Make sure to brush after every meal and floss at least once a day. Additionally, use a fluoride rinse if prescribed by your orthodontist.
Your orthodontist may recommend that you wear a retainer after your braces are removed. Retainers help realign the teeth and should be worn as directed by your orthodontist. Keep in mind that minor adjustments may be necessary when wearing a retainer; the width, shape, and strength of the retainer can all be customized to fit your oral structure best.
It is also important to pay attention to food items that could cause damage or pain to braces or other orthodontic appliances such as rubber bands, wires, brackets, etc. Avoid eating hard foods such as nuts or popcorn; sticky foods like caramel; or chewy food like hard candy that could get stuck in the brackets or cause damage to wires and rubber bands holding them together.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I brush my teeth when I have braces?
You should brush your teeth after every meal and at least twice a day. It is important to brush carefully around the brackets, wires, and bands and to floss daily to remove any food particles that may be stuck in your braces.
How do I floss with braces?
You can use regular floss or a floss threader to floss with braces. A floss threader is a tool that can help thread the floss between the wires of your braces. Be sure to floss gently, as your braces are more fragile than your teeth.
Is it okay to eat hard or sticky foods with braces?
It is best to avoid hard or sticky foods when you have braces, as these can damage the wires or brackets. If you do eat these types of foods, be sure to brush carefully afterward to remove any food particles that may be stuck in your braces.
Conclusion
It is important to take extra special care of your braces while they are in place. Eating the right foods, regular brushing and flossing, and maintenance visits with your orthodontist all make a big difference. With proper care, orthodontic treatment can help you reach your desired result – a beautiful smile.
Remember that braces are not fail-proof: You should still be careful to avoid hard or sticky foods that could cause damage to the brackets and wires. And resist the temptation to play with or adjust your braces on your own—if you notice any issues, immediately contact your orthodontist as soon as possible so they can ensure everything is working correctly.
Finally, always wear a mouthguard while participating in sports events; doing so will help protect both your teeth and your smile from injuries from physical activity.
