Here’s How to Care for Braces

The journey to beautiful, straight teeth isn’t always quick or easy, but it’s certainly worthwhile. If you or your child has taken the leap into the world of orthodontics, then you likely have dozens of questions on how to best care for these braces.

Braces are neither cheap nor terribly comfortable, we understand. However, the better care you take of your braces and teeth during this short period of your life, the better results you’ll enjoy.

Please take a moment to note down the best ways of managing your braces to maintain good oral health and prevent disruption to your treatment plan. 

Choose the Right Oral Care Products

Once you’ve had braces fitted, you’re going to have to revisit your oral hygiene routine entirely. 

Not only will you have a lot of extra cleaning to do, but the products that you choose will need to be compatible with your braces.

Your dentist will be able to assist you in selecting the right toothpaste, floss, and mouth wash. Some toothpaste brands contain mild abrasives or other chemicals that can affect your braces. 

Therefore, it’s wise to choose products that will effectively remove bacteria and keep your breath clean and fresh yet aren’t too harsh so as to affect the elastics or plastics in the braces. Another point to remember is to avoid using products that contain dyes that may discolour the metal. 

Cleaning Teeth with Braces

Take care when brushing with braces. You’ll need to be thorough to get to those hard-to-reach places, but gentle enough not to dislodge the brackets or break the wires. 

Brushing and Flossing

We’ve always been told to brush twice a day, right? Well, when you have braces it’s recommended that you brush after every meal. Unfortunately, braces provide a host of brand-new hiding places for food debris which, if not dealt with quickly, will result in bacteria and bad breath.

Start by rinsing your mouth with water to dislodge any larger food particles. 

If your dentist recommends the use of interdental brushes, then this will be your next step. Interdental brushes clean that little triangle that exists between two teeth and the gum. They don’t, however, replace floss which reaches right in between the teeth.

When flossing, a gentle hand is the order of the day. 

Starting at the back of your mouth, use a long piece of floss or a floss pick to reach the back teeth. If the floss comes out with residual food particles then grab a fresh piece – we don’t want to be putting these back in your mouth, do we?

Carefully pull the floss between your teeth and under the wires of the braces but avoid tugging on it whilst under a wire. Don’t forget to clean in and around the gum area. 

Once you’re done, rinse your mouth out again to eliminate any remaining debris.

Using a soft toothbrush angled down towards your gum line, gently brush the inside, outside, and chewing surface of each tooth. (You don’t necessarily need an electric toothbrush when you have braces, but if you prefer this option then choose one with a round oscillating head.)  

Brush along the brackets of your braces, angling the toothbrush upwards against the bottom of each bracket to clean effectively.

If you’re away from home, whether, at work or school, it’s a good idea to take along your toothbrush, floss, and mouthwash. Failing this, be sure to rinse your mouth thoroughly after eating, even if it’s just a snack. 

Extra Care

Some dentists may recommend an oral irrigator which offers a convenient way to ensure adequate oral hygiene. An oral irrigator is a home appliance that produces a stream of water from a small head that helps to dislodge food particles and plaque from your teeth and gums. It works particularly well on braces as the little jet of water doesn’t compromise the materials and can reach those tricky places. 

Six-Month Smiles

If you’re still considering braces and would like to know what other options are available, why not take a look at our Six-Month Smiles System

This alignment plan is more discreet than traditional braces, is a non-invasive option, and offers speedy results. It is usually more affordable than conventional braces too.

In Summary

It may sound like a lot of extra work, but properly caring for your teeth whilst you have braces is critical. It also helps to develop a thorough oral hygiene routine that you can continue with to keep your beautifully straight teeth strong and healthy.

If you have additional questions regarding care for braces, or you would like information on getting braces fitted, please call into our clinic. We are a friendly, family-focused team and we look forward to assisting you.

Call for an appointment on 01420 550 616.

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