Taking Care of Your Teeth with Braces

Braces are an effective treatment for correcting misaligned teeth and bite issues, but maintaining oral hygiene can be challenging with braces. Proper care for your teeth is especially essential as this time to ensure your teeth stay healthy. In this blog post, we’ll provide essential tips for taking care of your teeth with braces, helping you achieve a beautiful, healthy smile.

• Commit to Regular Oral Hygiene Routine:
  • With braces, it’s essential to maintain a consistent oral hygiene routine. Brush your teeth after every meal, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Brush them extra good around the bracket and wire to get all of the food/stains cleaned off your teeth.
• Use the Right Tools:
  • Invest in inter-dental brushes, floss threaders, and orthodontic floss to clean between the wires and teeth effectively. Water flossers can also be useful for flushing out debris from hard-to-reach areas.
• Be Gentle When Brushing:
  • When you brush vigorously it can break your wires and bracket.  Use gentle, circular motions to clean each tooth thoroughly, ensuring that you reach all surfaces without applying excessive pressure.
• Follow Dietary Guidelines:
  • Avoid foods that are hard, sticky, or chewy, as they can damage your braces and increase the risk of cavities. Opt for soft, braces-friendly foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, and cooked vegetables to minimize the risk of breakage.
• Protect Your Braces during Physical Activities:
  • If you participate in contact sports or activities that pose a risk of injury to your mouth, wear a mouthguard to protect your braces and teeth from damage.
• Stay Hydrated and Avoid Sugary Drinks:
  • Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your mouth hydrated and rinse away food particles. Limit your consumption of sugary and acidic beverages like soda and sports drinks, this can contribute to tooth decay and enamel erosion.

In conclusion, taking care of your teeth requires a lot of effort on your part, and patience when it comes to having braces. By following these tips you can ensure that your teeth will stay healthy and clean while you have your braces on. Here at our Dentist Spanish Fork, we want to help you keep those teeth shiny and clean during this time.