You just got your braces, congratulations, you’re one step closer to a perfect smile! Now how do you take care of them? Sadly, your daily brushing routine is no longer going to be enough. The brackets and wires on your teeth will make it difficult to floss and brush. Food will get stuck easier, which if you don’t properly brush can lead to staining, cavities, or even tooth decay. Don’t worry; there are several easy tips to help you keep your teeth and your new gear in good condition. Taking care of your new braces doesn’t have to be a pain if you follow these easy tips:
Brushing: Always use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of fluoride toothpaste. When you are brushing, angle your toothbrush over and under your brackets to ensure you are cleaning the whole tooth. Properly cleaning your braces will take several minutes, instead of the average 2 minutes, be sure to spend about 4 to 5 minutes brushing. It is recommended that while you are under orthodontic treatment that you brush your teeth 3 to 4 times daily.
Flossing: Flossing can be a pain with braces due to the wires, but there are a couple tools out there that can make flossing with braces easy. Buy floss threaders, they will help you thread the floss to get in those hard to reach places. Another great tool to buy is a Proxabrush; these toothbrushes have a special tip at the end of the brush that will help you clean in between the wires. It is recommended that you floss your teeth at least once per day.
Regular Check-ups: Just because you have braces doesn’t mean you should skip regular dental check-ups with your dentist. It is strongly recommended to have regular cleanings every six months unless instructed otherwise by your dentist. Regular check-ups will help with your oral health as well as determine if any periodontal problems are present.
Avoid certain foods: It is important to remember there are some foods you should not eat while you have braces such as: ice, hard candy, popcorn, taffy, caramel, etc. Broken brackets can occur as a result of eating any of the listed foods, which leads to unnecessary appointments and prolong your treatment.
Following these 4 easy tips will help you have a much better experience on your braces journey and help give you a smile you will want to share with the world.