You’ve just gotten your braces on and you’re excited to see the beautiful, straight smile that’s waiting for you at the end. But before you can get there, you need to take care of your teeth and your braces.
Wearing braces can make it more difficult to maintain good oral hygiene, but it’s not impossible. With a little extra effort and some tips on what to do and what not to do, you can keep your teeth healthy and strong while your braces do their work.
Maintaining Great Oral Hygiene with Braces
Wearing braces is an effective way to straighten your teeth and give you a beautiful smile. However, the dental care routine can be more complicated with braces, as it’s easy for food particles to get stuck in between the brackets and teeth. Here are some tips to ensure your teeth stay healthy while wearing braces.
Brush Your Teeth Regularly
To maintain a healthy smile, it’s essential always to brush your teeth at least twice daily while wearing braces. It’s recommended to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Focusing on brushing each tooth, along the gumline, and the brackets can help remove food particles and plaque buildup properly.
It’s also important to brush your teeth after meals, particularly if you’ve eaten sugary or sticky foods. If you can’t brush your teeth immediately, at least rinse your mouth with water to remove any food debris that lodged in your braces or teeth.
Floss Regularly
Flossing becomes more challenging with braces, but it’s essential to remove food debris and plaque buildup from hard-to-reach areas. Using a floss threader can help make flossing easier. Floss threaders can thread floss under your wire, allowing you to floss between your teeth and remove any food particles that have built up throughout the day. It’s also possible to use a water pick to remove food particles and plaque buildup from your teeth and braces.
When flossing, it’s important to be gentle and avoid snapping the floss, as this can cause the wire to loosen and damage your brackets and braces.
Use Orthodontic Wax as Needed
The wire and brackets can become loose and cause discomfort, particularly when consuming hard, sticky, and sugary foods. Using orthodontic wax can help cover exposed brackets or wires, preventing them from scratching your lips or the inside of your cheeks. If you’re unable to cover the brackets or wires with wax, consider booking an appointment with your orthodontist to get it fixed as soon as possible.
Also, avoid hard, sticky, and sugary foods that can damage or dislodge the brackets. Instead, opt for softer foods that are easy to chew and won’t damage your braces.
By keeping good oral hygiene habits, you can ensure your teeth stay healthy, and your orthodontic treatment stays on track. Talk to your orthodontist if you have any questions regarding proper dental care while wearing braces.
Schedule regular visits with your orthodontist to monitor your progress and adjust the braces. Follow their instructions on caring for your braces.
Wearing braces is a long-term commitment, and your orthodontist will schedule regular check-ups to monitor progress and make any necessary adjustments. You should not skip any of these appointments as they are crucial for keeping your teeth straight and ensuring that the braces are working properly.
During these check-ups, your orthodontist may replace wires or tighten brackets, which can cause some discomfort. However, following their instructions on caring for your teeth and braces can help alleviate any pain. They may also give you tips for brushing and flossing around the wires and brackets to ensure that you’re maintaining good oral hygiene during treatment, preventing any potential issues.
If you notice any changes or issues with the braces between appointments, such as broken or loose wires, call your orthodontist right away to schedule an emergency appointment. Ignoring these issues can cause discomfort and may even prolong your treatment.
After your braces come off, you’ll need to wear a retainer. Keep up with your oral hygiene routine to prevent any issues.
Congratulations, your braces are off, and your teeth are now beautifully straight! However, your treatment isn’t quite over yet. After the braces come off, you will need to wear a retainer to help maintain the alignment of your teeth. The amount of time you need to wear it will vary depending on your orthodontist’s instruction.
You should clean your retainer daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild soap to prevent the buildup of bacteria. Avoid using hot water, as it can warp the retainer, making it less effective. Follow your orthodontist’s specific instructions for wearing and caring for the retainer, and always remove it before eating or drinking anything other than water.
Additionally, keep up with your oral hygiene routine, including brushing twice a day and flossing daily to prevent any future dental issues. Neglecting your oral hygiene can lead to cavities, gum disease, and other problems that can affect the appearance and health of your teeth.
Remember that wearing braces can take time, and the results may not be immediate. Be patient, follow all instructions, and stick with the treatment plan for the best outcome.
If a Bracket or Wire Becomes Loose or Broken, Contact Your Orthodontist Immediately. Don’t Attempt to Fix it Yourself.
While braces are designed to be tough and durable, sometimes brackets or wires can become broken or dislodged. It may be tempting to try and fix them yourself, but it’s important to resist this urge. Attempting to fix the issue without proper training and equipment can lead to further damage to your braces, can damage your teeth or gums, and can even lead to infection if you accidentally hurt yourself while trying to fix the braces.
If you experience any issues with your braces, it’s important to contact your orthodontist immediately. They’ll be able to make an appointment to see you and fix the issue properly. Some of the most common issues with braces include:
| Issue | Description |
|---|---|
| Broken bracket | A bracket that has become loose or has broken completely. |
| Broken wire | A wire that has become loose or has broken completely. It may poke or irritate your mouth or gums. |
| Loose band | A band that has come off one of your back molars. |
Proper Oral Hygiene While Wearing Braces Can Result in a Beautiful Smile, Healthy Teeth, and Gums, and Avoiding Any Costly Dental Treatments in the Future.
Keeping your braces clean and well-maintained can help to prevent any issues from arising with your teeth or gums, and can also help to ensure that your braces are effective as possible. Here are a few tips for maintaining good oral hygiene while wearing braces:
- Brush your teeth at least twice per day using a soft-bristled brush.
- Floss your teeth every day, using a floss threader to get under the wires of your braces.
- Rinse your mouth with a fluoride mouthwash every day.
- Avoid hard or sticky foods that can damage your braces, such as candy, ice cubes, and popcorn.
- Visit your orthodontist regularly for check-ups and adjustments.
By following these simple tips, you can help to ensure that your braces stay in good condition, while also keeping your teeth and gums healthy and free from any potential issues or complications.
Tips for Proper Brushing and Flossing with Braces
Now that you’ve established a daily routine with your braces, it’s crucial to make sure your brushing and flossing techniques are top-notch. Food and plaque can accumulate around your brackets and wires, which could cause dental problems like cavities or gum disease. Follow these tips to keep your teeth and braces clean:
Brushing Tips
Make sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste when cleaning your teeth with braces. Begin by brushing at a 45-degree angle towards the gum line, then angle the toothbrush downwards to brush the bracket or appliance. Be sure to brush all surfaces of your teeth, meaning the front, back, and top. Brush for a minimum of two minutes and rinse thoroughly with water, making sure not to swallow any toothpaste foam.
Flossing Tips
Flossing with braces can be difficult, but it’s necessary to clean the areas toothbrush bristles can’t reach. Use a floss threader to thread the floss under the archwire, then carefully pull it up between the teeth. Slide the floss up and down against the sides of each tooth while keeping the floss taut to remove any trapped food or plaque. Repeat the process for the remaining teeth, using a new section of the floss for each tooth, so you don’t spread any bacteria.
Moreover, you can use an interdental brush to clean around the brackets and wires more efficiently, especially if you don’t want to floss every day. This appliance is a small brush with a cone or cylindrical head designed to fit between teeth and braces. Using this brush is just like using a regular toothbrush; it’s more effective than flossing and removing any debris around the wires that a toothbrush can’t reach.
Follow these tips for proper brushing and flossing, and you’ll have a healthy, beautiful smile by the time your braces come off.
Keeping Your Braces Clean
With braces, keeping them clean is essential. Braces are a magnet for food and plaque that accumulate on and around the brackets. If left unchecked, this build-up can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Here are some tips to help you keep your braces clean:
Tools to Keep Handy
Before you start your cleaning routine, make sure you have all the necessary tools within reach. It’s better to have them ready, so you don’t get distracted looking for them. Here’s a list of some of the tools you’ll need:
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| Soft-bristled Toothbrush | Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles to help avoid damaging your braces or wires. |
| Floss Threader | A floss threader helps you to get the floss under the wire. |
| Interdental Brush | This is a small brush that helps clean between the brackets and wires. |
| Mouthwash | Choose a fluoride mouthwash to help strengthen your teeth. |
Tips for Brushing
Brushing your teeth with braces can be a bit more challenging, but it’s no less important. Here are some tips to help you brush efficiently:
- Remove any elastics or other removable parts before brushing.
- Brush for at least two minutes, twice a day.
- Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to the brackets and brush in a circular motion.
- Brush all surfaces of your teeth, including the fronts, backs, and chewing surfaces.
- Don’t forget to brush your tongue to remove any bacteria that can cause bad breath.
- Rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash to remove any remaining debris.
By following these simple tips, you can keep your braces clean and ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy throughout your orthodontic treatment. Keep in mind that it may take a little extra effort, but the results will be worth it in the end.
Wrap Up: Keeping Your Teeth Healthy with Braces
Now that you know how to care for your teeth while wearing braces, you’re well on your way to a healthy, beautiful smile. It can be a bit of a learning curve to adjust to a new dental routine, but the effort you put in now will pay off in the long run.
Remember to brush and floss regularly, avoid hard and sticky foods, and attend all your scheduled dental appointments. With a little diligence and patience, you’ll be flashing your pearly whites in no time!
