Protecting Your Braces

Regular oral hygiene is essential. When you have braces, it becomes even more so. Brackets and wires can trap food particles, plaque, and bacteria that can significantly increase your risk of developing oral health issues like tooth decay and gum disease. To keep your braces, and your teeth clean, you will need to alter your brushing and flossing routine. Brush your teeth after each meal, angling the head against the brackets to reach all areas. Flossing should be done at least once a day. Getting the floss under the wires can be difficult, but floss threaders can help. Floss between each tooth, around the brackets, and around the wires. Moreover, do not forget to floss behind your back teeth.

Brackets are bonded to the fronts of each tooth with special dental cement. The cement is strong, but it is possible for your brackets to become dislodged. The wires can also be bent or broken. There are certain types of foods that can cause these issues to occur, including hard, crunchy foods, sticky foods, and chewy foods. To protect your braces, it is best to avoid these foods. In some cases, the foods can be cut up to avoid these issues. For instance, you should avoid eating whole apples and corn on the cob, but cut the apple into slices, or remove the corn from the cob allows you to enjoy them.

While playing sports is a fun activity, certain types pose risks to your oral health. They can lead to tooth damage or injuries to your jaw. Wearing braces poses extra risks. Brackets can become dislodged, and wires may bend or break. The brackets and wires can cause serious lacerations to your oral tissues. A specialized mouth guard can be made for you to wear while you play sports throughout the duration of your orthodontic treatment.