If you intend to get braces soon, you need to be prepared to give more effort in caring for your teeth as there will be difficulties after. Braces have many spaces to trap food, which can cause plaque when neglected. Moreover, this may also lead to many dental problems that will be more stressful and discomforting. Maintaining oral hygiene is very vital, especially when you have braces.
If you just got your braces and want to know how to maintain them, you’re in the right place. Now, let’s discuss the ways to care for your braces.
How to Care for Your Braces
Braces can do more than give you a confident smile, as they can align your teeth and effectively solve dental problems. To make the most of it, we’ve listed five effective tips to care for your braces.
1. Brush daily
For people with braces, following the two-by-two plan is important to maintain. This means brushing two times daily for two minutes each. Choose a fluoride toothpaste and soft-bristled toothbrush. Thoroughly brush your teeth for two minutes from the line with a slow, circular motion downwards.
To ensure your teeth are cleaned from every corner, move your toothbrush under the wires as you brush. When you’ve done this procedure to the upper set of your teeth, do the same with the lower set.
2. Rinse with mouthwash
If you’ve been using fluoride toothpaste, have you tried using fluoride mouthwash? Fluoride can prevent tooth decay and makes your teeth resistant to acid attacks from sugars and plaque bacteria in the mouth. So ensure to gargle this for a minute to rinse your mouth every evening before sleeping to prevent cavities. Doing this every night is enough. No need to rinse after meals.
3. Watch what you eat
Always be aware of what you eat, especially if you wear braces. Plaque can accumulate around the brackets each time you eat starchy and sugary foods. Moreover, these can stain teeth and cause cavities and gum disease when neglected. Foods that are chewy and sticky, like corn on the cob, dried fruits, caramel, chewing gum, and taffy, may get stuck in the braces and can be challenging to remove.
Hard foods should also be avoided. Foods like popcorn, nuts, beef jerky, and popcorn can misalign the wires of your braces and loosen their brackets. The same goes for healthy foods like carrots and apples. Due to their hard texture, they can be problematic to the wires. If you want to eat the foods enumerated, cut them into small pieces.
4. Check the mirror often
Once you’re done with the previous steps, examine your teeth and braces in the mirror. Look closely to ensure no stubborn particles or debris are stuck behind or overlooked when brushing and rinsing. Also, see if wires are sticking out of place. Regularly checking your braces can help you identify problems quickly and notify your orthodontist immediately.
5. Regularly visit your orthodontist
Regular visits to your orthodontist for adjustments are necessary if you have braces on your teeth. You may feel slight pain or tightness in your teeth after every routine orthodontic adjustment. But if you notice the pain or discomfort is not dissipating or becoming more extreme many days after, consult your orthodontist instantly.
Regular visits to your general dentist are also important while undergoing orthodontic treatment. This will help prevent cavities and gum disease and provide additional protection to tooth surfaces, which can be beneficial while wearing braces.
For more detailed manuals and advice about this topic, please see Canax Dentistry.