5 Dental Hygiene Tips While Wearing Braces

Perhaps you are wearing metal braces to correct your teeth, just like 4 million others in the United States — 75% of whom are under 18, according to Kidshealth.org. Straightening your teeth is likely something you’ve been dreaming about for a long time. Now that you’ve seen your orthodontist and gotten your braces on, it’s vital that you care for them as best as possible so that you get the results you’ve been hoping for. Here are five tips for dental hygiene while wearing braces.

1. Be Regular With Your Brushing Habits

This may sound like common sense, as we all know that brushing teeth is already a part of our daily routine for good oral health. However, when you are wearing braces this becomes exponentially more important. Not only should you brush twice daily, but you will also need to brush after every single meal. It is going to be super important to remove any food particles that have been lodged in your braces. This is because the hardware will trap the food and can start tooth decay before you know it, leading to gum disease, unpleasant breath, and other issues. Each time you brush you’d be advised to use an electric toothbrush to make sure you get under the wires and between those brackets to ensure a thorough clean.

2. Be Prepared For Anything

When wearing braces, it’s a really good idea to carry a tooth cleaning kit of sorts with you wherever you go; this way you’ll have the essentials with you when you’re out to eat or if you spend an unexpected night away from home. You’ll want to equip your cleaning kit with a toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash, and even a few in-between cleaners that may have been provided by your orthodontist. If not, these are easily available online and in stores.

3. Avoid Food No-Nos

Whether you’re out to eat or snacking at home, you will need to be very conscious of what you’re eating. Braces require that you avoid anything that is especially sticky, sweet, hard, or crunchy. Sticky food should be avoided because it can very easily get stuck in the wires and brackets making it even harder for you to get them clean. You want to keep your teeth as strong and healthy as possible so avoiding sweets, which weaken enamel and can cause decay, must be a priority. It is possible for hard or crunchy foods to dislodge your hardware or break the wires of your braces. Do your best to avoid these whenever possible.

4. Don’t Forget to Floss

Flossing can be something that you sometimes overlook, but when you have braces on you will need to make it a regular habit to floss thoroughly every day. Flossing removes any remaining food particles that your toothbrush may have missed. This is a very important step, so be sure not to let it fall by the wayside.

5. Keep All Your Orthodontist Appointments

Not only will checkups allow your orthodontist to monitor your progress regularly, make adjustments as needed, and identify any issues, you will also receive a professional tooth cleaning treatment that can catch any stubborn bits of food that may have been missed or that your toothbrush simply can’t reach. Staying on top of your checkup appointments can make all the difference to your overall results.

Putting in the effort of maintaining your teeth and braces during your teeth alignment treatment will pay off and you’ll see the amazing results that you want. Follow these tips and any others provided by your orthodontist and you’ll be glad you did. Call TruSmile Orthodontics today to schedule a visit or to get more information on oral hygiene for braces wearers.