Caring for Your Braces

Brushing and flossing are essential habits for preventing the buildup of plaque and bacteria that can lead to gum disease and cavities. While these habits are essential every day, they are even more crucial during your treatment with braces.

While wearing your braces, your brushing and flossing routine will need to be adjusted a bit. Brushing first thing in the morning and before you go to bed is still critical, but it is also important to brush following every meal. Every time you brush, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and soft, circular motions. Angle the bristles against the brackets to clean around them. Brush under the wires as well. You may notice that your toothbrush wears out faster than before you got your braces. As soon as you notice your bristles fraying, change your brush, even if it is before the recommended three months.

With braces, food can get stuck against the brackets and under the wires. Flossing is essential. However, you may notice that flossing is more tedious. A floss threader can be exceptionally helpful in getting the floss under the wires between your brackets. Once you get the floss under the brackets, work it back and forth very gently to get it between your teeth. Scrape up and down the sides of your teeth and just below the gum line. Floss around the brackets and under the wire. Make sure that you get between every tooth as well as behind your very back teeth.

Braces are a very effective treatment for correcting the alignment of your teeth, but they need to be properly cared for to do their job effectively. Avoid eating certain types of foods, such as exceptionally hard foods, whole apples, corn on the cob, sticky foods, and foods that are chewy. Any of these foods could dislodge brackets or bend wires. For those who play sports, a specialized mouthguard is essential. We can custom create a special mouthguard just for you that will fit your braces comfortably, providing you with the best possible protection, preventing the risk of serious issues.