How to maintain good oral hygiene while wearing braces
Good oral hygiene is important at all stages of your life, but when you wear braces, they prevent tooth staining, protect gum health, and prevent bad breath. Whenever possible, you should try to brush your teeth after every meal. If you can't, gargling with water or mouthwash can help remove plaque and food buildup until you're able to pick up a toothbrush.
Tips for caring for braces
There are many ways to protect your braces and teeth while undergoing orthodontic treatment. These include:
Brushing teeth with braces
Brushing your teeth is important whether you have braces or not, but it becomes especially important when you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. When you wear braces, nasty food particles and plaque are more likely to get trapped in your braces and cause problems, so you should use a soft-tipped toothbrush to clean those hard-to-reach areas. If you prefer to use an electric toothbrush, that's okay too.
Perfect your brushing technique
Brush your teeth at the gum line first, holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. After cleaning your gum line, place your toothbrush on the top of the brackets at a downward angle, then clean the bottom of the brackets at an upward angle.
While people usually only need to brush their teeth twice a day, if you have braces it is always recommended to brush after every meal. Keeping a toothbrush and tube of toothpaste in your bag is an easy way to ensure your mouth is clean and sparkling!
dental floss
Flossing while wearing braces can be a little cumbersome, but it's a step in your oral hygiene routine that shouldn't be overlooked. Flossing helps remove plaque buildup, as well as any smaller food particles stuck in braces or between teeth. If you find flossing difficult with floss tape, try using a floss threader with braces or an interdental brush.
Remember to be gentle when flossing. Try not to apply too much pressure or too quickly as you could damage your braces, which means you'll need to go back to your orthodontist!
avoid certain foods
There are actually very few foods that are off-limits when you have braces, but your orthodontist will give you a list of foods that you should avoid while undergoing treatment. Note that anything chewy, sticky, crunchy, or hard may be on the list.
Also, if you’re the type of person who’s always biting your nails or chewing pen caps, you need to break that habit ASAP! These types of habits and foods can break or bend your braces, which is never a good thing.
You should also avoid sugary foods and drinks as they can cause staining and decay around the brackets. These stains may be permanent and become more noticeable after the braces are removed, which will not help you achieve a perfect smile.
Foods to avoid when having braces
Anyone wearing fixed braces should avoid excessive snacking and should aim to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Foods to avoid while having braces include:
- Chewy foods, such as lollipops and licorice
- Crunchy foods, such as potato chips and popcorn
- Sticky foods such as caramel, bubble gum, and Snickers bars
- Hard foods, such as nuts and pretzels
- Foods that require a firm bite, such as whole apples, raw carrots, and corn on the cob.
- Sugary foods such as lollipops and boiled candies
- Sweet drinks such as juices, cordials, soft drinks and energy drinks
How often should you brush your teeth while wearing braces?
While people usually only need to brush their teeth twice a day, if you have braces it is always recommended to brush after every meal. Keeping a toothbrush and tube of toothpaste in your bag is an easy way to ensure your mouth is clean and sparkling!
If you wear braces, you will want to do everything you can to ensure you get the best results. Keeping your teeth clean, taking the time to floss, and thinking about the food you eat are simple but effective steps to ensure you have the perfect smile after your braces come off!
