How To Take Care of Your Braces

Braces collect food and dental plaque very easily. If proper oral hygiene is neglected during orthodontic treatment both tooth decay and periodontal disease can easily occur.

It is very important to maintain a daily plaque control program. This program can be determined by your dental hygienist.

Such a program may be as follows

A soft toothbrush should be used. A special orthodontic toothbrush can also be used to brush your teeth.

An interdental brush can be used to fit between the wire and the tooth to remove hard-to-reach plaque and food debris.

Oral irrigators can be used as an adjunct to brushing and flossing. This helps remove food debris and plaque.

A mouthwash containing fluoride can be used to help prevent cavities from occurring.

Hard foods should be avoided since they can bend the wires, loosen the bands, or break the brackets. Fruits and raw vegetables should be cut up into smaller pieces and chewed on the back teeth.

Sticky foods such as gum, toffee and caramel should be avoided since they can bend and break the wires and brackets.

Foods high in sugar should also be avoided, since this increases the chances of tooth decay.

Regular dental appointments are important to monitor the health of the teeth and gums during orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontics is a lot of work and taking care of them is not easy, but in the end, the results will be worthwhile when you have your new and improved smile.

. . . and remember, be proud to give a silver smile!

During your orthodontic treatment we will suggest to you the best ways to keep your teeth and brackets sparkling clean to ensure the most beautiful teeth and smile when you finish. It is important to follow our instructions, and you can be sure that your orthodontic treatment will be an investment for a lifetime.

Brushing

We encourage our patients to follow these guidelines for maximum oral health and comfortable orthodontic treatment. Always remember to brush your braces thoroughly after every meal. Remember that even a small snack can cause stains or discoloration of your teeth if food particles are not properly removed. If you are unable to brush your teeth, try rinsing your mouth with water to loosen food.Maintain a regular dental cleaning schedule with your family dentist to ensure optimum oral hygiene and prevention of cavities.