Navigating life with braces can be a daunting task – it takes extra care to ensure your teeth, gums, and brackets stay clean. Whether you’re in the early stages of getting braces or a few months in, taking the right precautions is critical for avoiding unwanted bacteria buildup and future dental complications.
Thankfully there are several easy methods that make keeping up with oral hygiene simpler while still ensuring a healthy smile. Read on to find out our top 4 tips for maintaining stellar oral health when wearing braces!
Brush Regularly
Maintaining good oral hygiene while wearing braces can be challenging, but it’s crucial to prevent any potential dental issues from arising. One of the best ways to care for your teeth while wearing braces is to brush regularly with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
By brushing twice a day, you’ll effectively remove any plaque, bacteria, and food particles that might accumulate around your braces. Remember to be gentle when brushing, as a hard-bristled toothbrush could damage the braces or irritate your gums.
With proper brushing techniques, you’ll be able to keep your teeth and braces clean and healthy, ensuring that your smile looks great once the braces come off.
Floss Every Day
Taking care of your teeth is important, and it’s not just about brushing. Flossing is a crucial part of maintaining good oral hygiene. When you floss, you get rid of the plaque and food particles that your toothbrush can’t reach, particularly the ones hiding between your teeth and under the wire of your braces.
Even if you don’t have braces, flossing is still necessary to keep your teeth and gums healthy and to prevent problems such as gum disease and tooth decay. So don’t skip out on flossing – make it a daily habit and keep your smile shining bright!
Avoid Certain Foods
When you’re sporting braces, it’s important to keep certain foods off your menu. Some foods can do more harm than good when it comes to your dental health. Some of these foods can include:
- Hard candies
- Gum
- Popcorn
- Ice cubes
- Nuts
- Chewy or sticky foods (caramel, taffy)
Not only are they challenging to clean off your braces, but they can also cause damage that delays your orthodontic treatment. So if you want to keep your smile in tip-top shape, it’s best to steer clear of these foods and opt for healthier alternatives instead. Your teeth (and orthodontist) will thank you!
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Are you wearing braces and wondering how often you should visit the dentist? The answer is simple – regularly! In fact, visiting your dentist regularly is crucial when you have braces on. Your dentist can inspect your teeth and gums thoroughly, ensuring there are no underlying issues that may cause further problems down the line.
With braces, there is always the risk of a wire or bracket coming loose, and your dentist can quickly fix any issues to keep your braces in check. So, don’t skip your dental check-up appointments while wearing braces. Trust us, your smile will thank you.
Contact Bakersfield Smile Design Today
If you have additional questions or would like assistance maintaining a healthy smile while wearing braces, contact Bakersfield Smile Design today. Our licensed dentists specialize in orthodontics and can provide advice on how best to care for your teeth with braces. With their guidance and commitment from you to practice good oral hygiene habits, you can look forward confidently to an amazing new smile!
