Tips for Maintaining Your Oral Hygiene While Wearing Braces

It can take a while to adjust to wearing and caring for braces. In the meantime, consult your dentist if you have any concerns. Your dentist will provide detailed instructions on cleaning your teeth and making lifestyle modifications. You can also observe the following care tips to maintain a healthy mouth during your orthodontic treatment.

Make Dietary Modifications

Some foods may damage your braces or cause the brackets to become loose. Foods you should avoid include apples, popcorn, pretzels, bagels, nuts, carrots, and corn on the cob. You should also avoid sticky foods, like caramel and taffy. Most foods are still edible with braces as long as you cut your snacks into small pieces. Your dentist may provide you with a more comprehensive list of foods you should avoid.

Maintain Good Oral Habits

When you have braces, food particles are more likely to become trapped. This means that brushing and flossing your teeth regularly and thoroughly is especially important. You’ll need to adjust to cleaning your teeth in a different manner; when in doubt, ask your dentist to demonstrate how to brush and floss with braces. In addition to using a regular toothbrush, you should clean between the braces with a proxabrush and thread the floss carefully between the brackets.

Implement Lifestyle Modifications

In addition to changing your diet and paying close attention to your brushing habits, there are a few other measures you need to take to protect your braces. If you chew gum, for example, you’ll have to stop for the duration of the treatment. Your dentist will also warn you against chewing on hard objects like pen caps, fingernails, and ice. If you play sports, wear a mouth guard to protect your braces and mouth.

Make Dentist Appointments

Keep your mouth healthy while wearing braces by seeing your dentist every six months for check-ups and cleanings. Periodically, you’ll also visit your dentist for orthodontic adjustments.

Learn more about keeping your mouth healthy with braces. Make an appointment with Sanford Dental Excellence by calling 407-268-6409. Lake Mary and Orlando-area patients are encouraged to call us with any questions about our dental services.