If you’re wearing metal braces, maintaining excellent oral hygiene is more crucial than ever. Metal braces can make it challenging to clean your teeth effectively, but proper care will help prevent plaque buildup, cavities, and gum disease. Here’s a complete guide to keeping your teeth healthy while wearing metal braces.
Brush Your Teeth After Every Meal
With metal braces, food particles can easily get trapped between the brackets and wires. Brush your teeth after each meal to avoid plaque accumulation and tooth decay. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or an electric toothbrush with a small head for easier access around the braces. Make sure to brush all surfaces of your teeth, including the gum line, the outer surfaces, and the hard-to-reach areas between the brackets.
Pro Tip: Angle your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle when brushing near your gum line to ensure you remove plaque effectively.
Use Fluoride Toothpaste
Fluoride is your best defense against cavities while wearing braces. It strengthens the enamel and makes your teeth more resistant to decay. Choose a fluoride toothpaste and brush for at least two minutes, paying special attention to the areas around your braces. Fluoride mouthwash can also help reach places your toothbrush might miss, offering additional protection.
Floss Daily
Flossing may seem tricky with metal braces, but it’s essential for cleaning between your teeth and under the wires. A floss threader can make the process easier. It helps you guide the floss between your braces and reach those tight spaces. Alternatively, you can use an orthodontic flosser or a water flosser, which uses a stream of water to remove food particles and plaque from hard-to-reach areas.
Pro Tip: Water flossers are particularly effective for people with braces because they can clean under the wires and between the brackets effortlessly.
Avoid Hard and Sticky Foods
Certain foods can damage your braces or get stuck in the wires and brackets, increasing your risk of cavities. Avoid hard foods like nuts, popcorn, and raw carrots, as they can bend or break your braces. It can be challenging to clean your braces when sticky items like caramel, gum, and taffy become stuck in them.
Choose for softer fare instead, such as cooked veggies, yogurt, and soft fruits. Cut harder foods into smaller, bite-sized pieces to minimize the risk of damage to your braces.
Use Orthodontic Wax for Irritation
When you first get metal braces, or after adjustments, the brackets and wires may cause irritation or sores inside your mouth. Orthodontic wax can help reduce discomfort by creating a smooth barrier between your braces and the soft tissue inside your cheeks and lips. Place a small amount of wax over the brackets or wires irritating.
If you experience severe or ongoing discomfort, contact your orthodontist near you for advice.
Rinse with Mouthwash
Using an antibacterial mouthwash can help keep your gums healthy while wearing metal braces. Rinse with mouthwash at least once a day to reduce plaque buildup and bacteria in hard-to-reach areas. To further prevent cavities, look for a mouthwash with fluoride.
A good oral rinse also helps freshen your breath, which can sometimes be an issue when wearing braces.
Visit Your Orthodontist in Woodbridge Regularly
While you’re wearing braces, it’s important to continue seeing your orthodontist for regular checkups and cleanings. Professional cleanings can help remove plaque and tartar that may accumulate around your braces. Your orthodontist will also check for any early signs of cavities or gum disease and provide personalized advice for keeping your teeth and braces clean.
Your orthodontist in Woodbridge will also adjust your braces regularly, so it’s vital to attend all scheduled appointments. These adjustments are crucial for the success of your treatment and for keeping your braces in good condition.
Invest in Interdental Brushes
Interdental brushes are small, toothbrush-like tools designed to clean between teeth and braces. They are especially helpful for cleaning around brackets and wires where a regular toothbrush may not reach. Use them daily to clean your teeth and around your braces.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps wash away food particles and bacteria. Water also helps neutralize acids in your mouth that can lead to enamel erosion. If you’re wearing braces, staying hydrated can make a big difference in maintaining a clean, healthy mouth.
Avoid sugary drinks like soda and juice, as they can increase the risk of cavities, especially with braces. Stick to water to keep your teeth and braces clean.
Conclusion
Caring for your teeth with metal braces requires extra effort, but the results are worth it. By brushing after every meal, flossing daily, avoiding harmful foods, and visiting your orthodontist regularly, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout your orthodontic treatment. With good habits in place, you’ll be ready to show off your perfect smile once your braces come off!