Taking care of your teeth when you have braces is a little more involved than your normal oral hygiene routine, but it’s very important. Braces are used to correct issues with your teeth such as crookedness and spacing, but if you don’t care for your teeth well while you have braces, you could end up creating new problems! So make sure to take care of your pearly whites so that once the braces come off, your mouth looks better than ever. Here are a few tips for dental care with braces.
Dental Care with Braces
Why should I be extra good about dental care with braces?
You should always brush twice a day and floss once a day, whether you have braces or not. The thing about braces is that it’s easy for food, plaque, and other particles to get trapped in between the wires. If you don’t take extra care to make sure this debris is removed, it can cause tooth decay and enamel stains.
How should I take care of my teeth and braces?
The best thing to do is brush after every meal, and floss once a day. You may want to consider a special toothbrush known as a proxabrush or Christmas tree brush, which is designed to facilitate the cleaning of teeth with braces and get between those small spaces created by the wires. Brush from the top down and then from the bottom up using strokes in all directions to remove as many particles as possible.
As for floss, there is special orthodontic floss available for those with braces that helps clean between and under the wires. Again, try to floss once a day before you go to bed, in order to remove particles that have accumulated over the course of the day.
What foods should I avoid?
There are a number of foods and drinks you should avoid when you have braces.
- All candies and sweets
- Soda and sugary drinks
- Sticky and chewy foods
- Hard foods such as nuts, pretzels, popcorn, and corn on the cob. Cut hard fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots into bite-sized pieces instead of taking a bit out of the whole apple or carrot.
Can I play sports while I have braces?
Yes, you can play sports while you have braces, but you should wear a special mouthguard to protect your teeth and mouth. Your dentist can design a specially-fitted mouthguard for you to keep your mouth safe while you play sports.
Olney Dental can answer all of your questions about braces and other dental procedures. Call us at (301) 250-1057 or contact us online for an appointment. Also, visit Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, and YouTube to connect with us.