Braces Care 101

When getting braces, you can expect that taking care of your teeth will become a bit more challenging. Food gets stuck in the many tiny spaces within braces, causing plaque to form, leading to a variety of tooth issues. As a result, brushing your teeth after every meal (including snacks), rinsing with mouthwash, and flossing at least once a day is critical. While this seems tedious or excessive, neglecting your oral hygiene can result in serious oral health issues, additional time in braces, or unsightly staining on your teeth. Both you and your child should be aware of the additional responsibility that comes with properly caring for braces.

Brush Your Teeth Regularly

Brushing at least twice a day for a minimum of two minutes is essential for keeping your teeth and braces clean. Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste for optimal results. Remove any rubber bands or other detachable accessories before you start. Begin at the top and move the toothbrush across each tooth in a gentle circular motion for a couple of minutes. Slide the brush down below the wires as you brush to get everything above and below the braces. After you have completed all of the top teeth, you can go on to the bottom teeth and continue the process.

Floss Daily

You should floss at least once a day after acquiring the appropriate type of floss recommended by your orthodontist. Flossing correctly while wearing braces might help you avoid issues like tooth decay and bad breath. After you are done flossing thoroughly, we recommend using a mouth wash to rinse any stubborn particles located in hard-to-reach areas. 

Avoid Certain Foods

To ensure proper treatment, there are some foods you should avoid while your braces are in place as they can damage them. Some of these foods include:

• Crunchy and hard foods such as apples, carrots, hard candies, ice, and nuts.
• Sticky candies and foods like soft caramels or Starbursts.
• Extra sugary foods and drinks such as sodas and sweets.

If eating sugary foods is an absolute must for you, please make sure you brush and floss immediately after finishing your snack in order to avoid tooth decay.

Visit Your Dentist Frequently 

To ensure that your treatment is on track, you must continue to visit your Plantation orthodontist for checks according to the suggested timetable. Also, call your Tamarac dentist or Davie dentist straight away if your braces break during treatment to avoid damage. If you have any more questions, you can get in contact with our team of experts. We are happy to help clear any of your concerns and educate you further on the best ways to care for your braces. 

March 25, 2022