How To Properly Maintain Braces

How To Properly Maintain Braces

It’s a key right of passage in many people’s lives.  Braces.  Remarkably effective at moving your teeth, and worn for anywhere between a few months to a few years, braces, are the go to solution for creating the perfect smile.  But the truth is, in order to get the best results from your braces, you need to maintain them with optimal care and detailed habits along the way.  Let’s take a look at a few key things you need to know.

Oral Hygine has never been more important!

Not only do the basic rules of oral hygiene still apply during your time with braces, the truth is, it’s even more important to take care of your mouth and teeth during this time.  Many new braces wearers feel they will ‘disturb’ their braces by brushing their teeth or even flossing, but nothing could be further from the truth! When wearing braces, you should absolutely continue brushing on a regular basis.  Without regular cleanings, bacteria can mix with starches from food and form plaque around or behind your brackets.  Left uncleaned, this plaque can eat away at calcium from your teeth, and create permanent white spots.  Plaque buildup can also be responsible for dental decay, gingivitis, and poor breath.  With regular brushings and flossing, your teeth will maintain vibrant health.

How to brush and floss!

Before brushing and flossing be sure to remove all moving parts (headgear, or bands), and once you start, focus on cleaning one tooth at a time, from all angles including the back.  Some individuals find better results using floss threaders instead of loose floss strands, so be sure to try the various options to find what works best for you.

Make that meal  ‘braces friendly!’

It is always important to take care with what you eat, and is it especially important to do so while wearing braces.  Braces wearers will want to tend towards more alkaline (less acid forming) foods like fish, seafood, eggs, and mashed potatoes.  Sodas, gum, and other sugary treats are highly acidic, so it is best to avoid them completely.  For best success, focus on finding enjoyable, softer foods, which can become especially useful following tightenings.  Great choices include bananas, soft breads (like bagels), soups, or yogurts.  Be sure to avoid hard or crunchy eats like nuts, candies, and carrots as well as gooey foods like peanut butter or caramel.  Refraining from chewing on hard substances such as pens, pencils, fingernails and even ice will help to keep your braces in great shape as well.

If you are looking to get braces, or have just gotten some, don’t let yourself feel limited.  With a just a bit of effort and a few common sense tips, excellent braces maintenance becomes a breeze!  If you have additional questions contact us at Angel Dental Care to schedule an appointment for a consultation