When you have braces, cleaning your mouth will require extra effort. You’ll need to brush after every meal to avoid food debris from getting stuck on the holes in your bracket.
Setting aside good oral hygiene may lead to dental problems. If you’ll take good care of your braces, you’ll also feel more comfortable wearing them. You can also prevent having to wear your braces for a longer period.
Brushing
Here are tips to help you brush and floss more effective with your braces on.
- Rinse your mouth first to loosen food particles that may have been trapped in your braces.
- Brush above the gumline and then your tooth. Move to the next tooth in a circular motion.
- Brush around your brackets, tilting your toothbrush as necessary.
- Rinse your mouth and check your teeth in the mirror.
- If there are still food particles, target them as you brush again and rinse your mouth thoroughly.
Flossing
Don’t forget to floss at least once a day. And when you floss, cover the bottom part of your wires too. You can also ask your hygienist to show you the best way to floss. You can also look into flossing products that are specially made for orthodontic appliances, such as braces.
Eating
Pay more attention to what you eat. Refrain from eating sticky food, such as caramel, as they’re likely to get stuck on your braces and can be difficult to remove.
You’ll also want to avoid or be extra careful with hard and crunchy food as they can get trapped in your braces and cause your wires to snap or loosen. You may be thinking, how about food that’s supposedly good for the teeth, such as carrots and apples?
Yes, they’re healthy but they may also present problems when you have braces on. If you must indulge in them, it will help to cut them in small or thin pieces first.
Aside from being cautious with what you eat, you also need to watch what you use your mouth for. Don’t bite on hard objects, such as pens or ice. Don’t use your teeth as a tool for opening packets or packages. This can damage your braces and also cause harm on your teeth, gums, and jaw.
Wearing Protective Devices
If you’re engaging in sports or physical activities, low or high contact, consider getting yourself a custom mouthguard. This will help protect your teeth and braces in the event of an impact.
The good thing about custom-fitted mouthguards is that they are designed to be comfortable to the wearer. They fit snugly because they follow the shape and size of your mouth. You don’t have to worry about them falling off when you move.
They may be pricier than store-bought mouthguards but the benefits you’ll enjoy from them are far better. They’re more effective at doing their job, that is to protect your mouth.
Fixing Your Braces
Should your wires break or your brackets get removed, come to the dental office right away. Your dentist or orthodontist can fix your wires and reattach any loose or fallen brackets.
Let your dentist know if you have wires that are poking your gums. These wires need to be put back in place or if necessary, get cut.
Always examine your mouth and if there’s anything bothering you, advise your dental team.
Seeing Your Dentist Regularly
During adjustments, you may feel discomfort or tightness. This should go away soon. If not, consult with your dentist.
Keep up with your appointments. Failing to see your dentist regularly may cause your teeth to shift. The periodic adjustment is part of the treatment process and if you’ll delay it, then you’ll also be wearing your braces longer. It will take more time for you to achieve the results you want.
During appointments at the dental office, your hygienist can also perform professional cleanings to give your mouth additional protection.
If you or your child is interested in getting braces, please let us know. We’ll assist you in booking an initial consultation with our orthodontist.
Be on your way to a better and healthier smile. Call our office today.