6 Easy Ways to Care For Your Braces
You just got new braces for your teeth, and you don’t know how to care for them? Check out this guide on 6 easy ways to care for braces to help protect your teeth.
If you recently got braces for your teeth or you’re getting ready to have one, congratulations!
You’re well on your way to a healthier, gorgeous smile.
During the time your braces are on, it’s important you protect your mouth by following some basic guidelines for caring for the braces and teeth.
In the first few days after your braces have been placed onto your teeth, the teeth may be soft.
Nothing to worry about here because it’s a normal part of the treatment process.
Within a short time, the discomfort will subside.
Just keep in mind that this sensation is an early sign of tooth movement.
For now, you can start practicing good oral hygiene and making some changes to daily habits to protect your teeth and mouth while the braces are doing their work.
In this article, we’ll show you 6 easy ways to care for your braces.
The earlier you apply these 6 easy tips and establish healthy habits, the healthier your teeth and mouth will be.
6 Easy Ways to Take Care of Your Braces
Braces help to improve overall oral health and create a beautiful, confident smile.
But if you’re not taking care of your teeth while the braces are on, they can easily develop stains, cavities, and gum problems that can cause issues later in life.
This is why it’s critical to follow an orthodontic braces care routine. One of which you can get at Three Leaf Orthodontics.
They’re experts who take pride in preventing, diagnosing, and treating various oral health challenges related to tooth and jaw alignment.
They operate in Waxhaw and South Charlotte. They’re built around caring for friends like you.
In this article, you’ll learn how you can get the most out of your braces treatment.
Let’s get straight into the 6 ways to care for your braces.
1. Brush Often
When it comes to brushing with braces, it’s best to follow the two-by-two plan, which is to brush twice a day for two minutes each time.
Use a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush.
For two minutes, begin from the top with a gentle circular motion, then start moving the toothbrush across each tooth.
As you brush, make sure to move the brush down below the wires to get everything above and below the braces.
Once you’ve done this across all the teeth on the top, move to the bottom teeth and repeat.
2. Use Floss and Mouthwash
Since a toothbrush won’t reach all the crevices and cracks between each tooth, you should floss once a day as well.
Floss with any flossing aid to get in between each tooth and remove food particles the toothbrush may have missed.
Then, once you’re done brushing and flossing, rinse with mouthwash to reach any stubborn areas that might need some extra attention.
3. Use Water Pik
Although they don’t replace flossing, you can use oral irrigators, like the Water Pik, to keep the teeth clean during the time you have the braces on.
Most people aren’t familiar with using a Water Pik, so you need to learn how to. And once you get used to it, you’ll love it.
Oral irrigators help to remove stubborn food debris that the toothbrush and floss missed.
4. Check the Mirror
Once those steps are complete, stop and check out your smile in the mirror.
Look closely to make sure there aren’t any stubborn food particles that got left behind or overlooked.
Also check for any areas where wires may be sticking out or out of place.
Checking the braces regularly is helpful because you can quickly identify problems and inform the orthodontist when something is off.
5. Get Braces Care Tips From Your Orthodontist
Three Leaf Orthodontics does more than just put braces on and tighten them from time to time.
They also teach you how to care for your braces and your mouth.
When you first get braces, your orthodontist will sit down with you to discuss brushing and flossing procedures.
They’ll show you the best way to brush and floss each day and offer recommendations for avoiding issues.
And discuss what to do if your braces break or you experience pain while wearing them.
They’ll also give you tips on what to eat with braces on and what you can’t eat.
You’ll see how certain foods and drinks can impact your oral health.
All this is to help you experience fewer problems along the way, so the braces can do their work quickly.
6. Watch the Foods You Eat When You Have Braces
Avoiding certain foods is one of the most common topics that come up when you’re getting your braces for the first time.
Maybe you’ve encountered another friend at work or somewhere else who’s experienced braces and told you all about the guidelines they were given.
Yes, you will temporarily need to adjust your eating habits while you have braces.
But it’s not difficult to follow these guidelines.
Food That Is Safe to Eat With Braces
These foods include:
- Lean meats
- Soft breads
- Yogurt and milk
- Soft nut butter, such as peanut butter
- Soft fruits
- Cooked vegetables
- Tofu
Food That Aren’t Safe to Eat With Braces
While you’re on braces, it’s best you reduce or even avoid certain foods, including:
- Meat from a bone
- Hard candy
- Crunchy chips
- Hard or extremely crusty bread
- Hard fruits
- Whole nuts or seeds
- Popcorn
Mealtime Tips
Besides paying attention to the food you eat, it’s also important to pay attention to how you’re eating it.
Instead of trying to bite directly into something, it’s easier to eat manageable bites with a fork or spoon.
Yes, you’re not used to eating pizza with a fork or cutting an apple into slices before eating it, but doing this reduces the risk of breaking braces or causing pain.
If your mouth is sore from a recent adjustment, take cold foods.
The coldness of these foods will always help to ease the discomfort in your mouth.
Conclusion: Schedule An Orthodontics Appointment with Three Leaf Orthodontics Today!
When you follow these tips for brace care, you’ll find that it’s easier to develop and stick to a care routine for your braces.
An orthodontist’s goal is to help you learn how to take care of braces and keep your teeth in good shape while the braces do their work.
They operate convenient hours, flexible payment options, and advanced technologies.
Find one that believes communication and expertise are key regarding oral health. And get a doctor with vast years of experience to attend to you.
Feel free to schedule a consultation with an orthodontist around you and experience the health and cosmetic benefits of modern orthodontic treatments.
