Since you’re here, I’m assuming you’ve gotten new braces or are in the process of getting them. In any case, congratulations! I hope you enjoy your newfound smile that is sure to come out of the next year. Having braces comes with quite a long list of rules, and yes, you will probably have to give up some of your favorite things like a chewy candy. Sorry, but we promise it’s for the greater good! Let’s talk about some of the key dos and don’ts when you get braces.
The Basic Commandments
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene while wearing braces is critical since your gums may be tender and sore following the procedure. To avoid confusion, here are some dos and don’ts when you get braces.
Do’s
These are primary do’s for taking care of your braces!
Brush Regularly
Brushing your teeth would be more difficult now that you are wearing braces. The ADA’s recommended twice-daily routine may not be adequate for your care. Given that you eat more than twice daily, brushing your teeth after each meal would be ideal. This will assist you in clearing your teeth of any food remnants or plaque that may have become lodged in your brackets. Plaque, a colorless, sticky film of bacteria that forms in the mouth as a result of saliva and food particles, combines with sugars to form an acid that is harmful to both your teeth and your brace. That’s why it’s important to brush your teeth more frequently when you have braces.
Get Flossing Regularly
Your toothbrush’s capabilities are limited with braces. A regular flossing thread is unlikely to reach all of your mouth’s crevices, which is why you need a water flosser. A water flosser is a cool machine that sprays thin but powerful streams of water between your teeth to push any food remnants out. Flossing with this machine will assist you in getting these small spaces.
Replace Your Brush Regularly
After a while, your brush begins to wear. The bristles become brittle over time and gradually lose their effectiveness. This is one of the main reasons why dentists recommend changing them every three months. With braces, however, that number is decreased to every two!
Why? Your braces would increase the strain on your brushes. As a result, the bristles on the brushes would wear out faster. So, while wearing braces, you try to replace your brushes every two months.
Stay Hydrated
It is impossible to overstate the importance of drinking plenty of water. It is suitable for your health and is a general rule. However, drinking plenty of water can also help you when you wear braces. Drinking water helps to clean your mouth of any food debris or bacteria that may have clung to your braces. Swish your drink around your mouth before swallowing or spitting it out. The key to this is to carry a water bottle with you throughout the day and sip from it intermittently.
Don’ts
In addition to establishing healthy habits to incorporate, you need to understand things you should not do. Here are the big ones:
Consume Sticky Foods
Yes, as evil as it may sound, you must do your best to avoid sticky foods. These foods, like candies, are dangerous to consume while wearing braces. Why? These foods fill your mouth with sugars and stick to your teeth and braces, causing plaque and cavities. Stay away from them.
Eat Hard Foods
Hard foods are more damaging to your new braces than hard foods. Foods that require you to bite hard such as apples can break your brackets. They should be avoided or at least broken into smaller pieces.
Final Thoughts
As sad as it may seem, investing in braces simply is not enough. You also need to follow through on proper care of them to ensure you get the best results possible! This list of do’s and don’ts when you get braces is just the beginning though.
If you need additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at Adventure Orthodontics for a consultation!