Braces quite popular these days. They can fix many teeth issues including bite problems. Not all braces are worn by everyone. To find out what works and doesn’t work for you, visit your nearest orthodontist.
Let’s take a look at how you should take care of and maintain braces.
Careful cleaning
Plaque can accumulate easily around the braces. Want to know how to make your daily brushing more effective? Follow these simple steps.
- Remove all orthodontic appliances from your mouth
- Use a toothbrush with soft round bristles (an electric toothbrush would be better)
- Start with the gumline
- Clean around the pins, brackets, and wires of the braces at an angle of 45 degrees
- Brush the brackets from top to the bottom. Remove plaque around the upper and lower teeth
- Spend at least 10 seconds on every tooth when brushing. Apply small pressure and move the brush in a circular motion
- Apply the circular motion to both the inner and outer tooth surfaces.
Floss at least once per day
If you don’t know the right way or tool to floss, a competent dental professional in Georgia will show you. Consult the orthodontist who offered you Canton braces just to be sure. There are flossing products which are specifically made for orthodontic appliances. One of them is the floss threader.
Floss between braces and under the wires. Consider waxed floss as it slides easily between teeth and hardly snags on the braces. When done, use a mouth rinse and check the braces in the mirror.
What if you have gaps in your teeth? An interdental brush would be more helpful than a piece of regular floss. The best product to use in hard-to-reach areas is the irrigator. It works with a pulsating water stream that flushes out even the most stubborn food debris.
Protect braces with a mouthguard
If you are very active, a mouthguard will save your lips and cheeks from cuts. It also prevents damage to braces in case you fall down. The same protection comes in handy if someone hits your face.
According to the American Dental Association, you should put on the mouthguard on both top and bottom teeth if you have braces. The best fitting mouthguard is one that’s designed by your dentist.
In addition, avoid biting your lips and breathing heavily through the mouth. Pushing the tongue against the teeth is another habit you should avoid. Plus, if you like nibbling on the nails, you should stop this habit immediately. You might bend or break the braces.
Avoid particular foods
Always watch what you’re eating. The following foods are a no-no when you have braces.
- Sticky sweets
- Chewy caramels and taffies
- Corn on cobs
- Crunchy/hard foods e.g. carrots popcorns, nuts, and hard pretzels
Conclusion
Maintaining oral hygiene is a little complicated once you get braces. This is due to the small spaces found in braces. They trap food debris which could eventually lead to plaque and other dental issues.
For this matter, always brush your teeth after taking any food. Floss regularly and rinse with mouthwash. If you neglect your braces, serious health issues can follow. The last thing you need is unsightly stains on your teeth.
Last but not least, regularly visit an orthodontist in Woodstock or Canton. An orthodontist is a specialized dentist with additional training on correcting bites and straightening teeth.
