Taking Care of Your Teeth While Wearing Braces
If you just got braces, Congratulations! Within a few months, you will have aligned teeth and a beautiful smile. However, with braces comes great responsibility! Braces can lead to increased plaque accumulation and increased risk of dental infections. With that in mind, you need to take care of your teeth and gums even more than you did normally.
Here’s how to take care of your teeth with braces on:
Brush Your Teeth!
Brushing your teeth regularly is even more important when you have braces, then when you do not.
In addition to using a regular toothbrush, you should also use an interdental toothbrush.
The fine bristles of an interdental toothbrush are able to penetrate the tight spaces between the teeth and also clean through the tiny spaces between the brackets of the braces.
In order to ensure that your teeth remain protected from cavities and infections, you should brush your teeth after every meal with a fluoride toothpaste.
Floss
Cleaning your teeth can be pretty difficult when you have braces attached to your teeth! Chances are you may not be able to completely clean your teeth despite thorough brushing. The thin filaments of dental floss are able to penetrate the tight spaces between the teeth and get food particles out.
You should make a habit of flossing at least once every day, especially while you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. You can find special floss for braces at most drugstores. You can also try a water flosser — which uses a powerful stream of water to get any food debris out from in between your teeth and brackets.
Use Fluoride Mouthwash
Fluoride has been shown to be effective in making your teeth stronger and preventing the development of cavities and infections.
It is recommended that you use a fluoride mouthwash while you are wearing braces.
In addition to mouthwash, you can use a special remineralizing toothpaste such as MI Paste. When food gets stuck in between your teeth and gums due to difficulty cleaning while having braces on, bacteria trapped in there will release acid and contribute to tooth decay. MI Paste can neutralize those acids to help prevent damage.
Take Care of Your Diet
Biting on hard foods, such as carrots, nuts and pretzels can result in dislodgment of your braces.
Similarly, sticky foods like caramel, candies and chewing gum can, not only dislodge your braces from the teeth, but also increase the chances of your teeth getting cavities.
Stick to a well-balanced diet of proteins, fats and carbs. Eat plenty of vegetables, and drink water.
This will help keep your braces intact and also ensure that you have healthy teeth when you do get your braces off.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Never miss an appointment with your orthodontist!
Not only is it essential for getting the best results out of your treatment, but your dentist will also be able to detect and timely treat any underlying problems with your teeth and gums that may become severe or create difficulties in the future.
If you make sure to follow the above-mentioned tips, you can be confident that you are taking good care of your teeth, preventing tooth decay, and will have a gorgeous smile when your braces come off!
