Every smile is beautiful, especially when it’s with braces. Because it’s a testament that you are serious about taking care of your oral health.
Be it crooked teeth or misaligned jaw lines; braces put constant pressure on your teeth to align them properly and help you get a straight, presentable smile. However, maintaining good oral hygiene is very important while undergoing the overall prognosis of an orthodontic treatment.
If you’re not taking care of your teeth while braces are on, you are prone to develop stains, cavities, and gum problems in the future. For instance, food particles entrapped in the braces can accumulate plaque, which further proliferates bacteria and causes dental complications like caries.
Hence, following the braces care routine is considered the important steps of orthodontic treatment.
Tips & Tricks on How to Take Care of Braces
- Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day
While braces are on, it’s a good idea to follow the two-by-two plan– brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each. Select a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste to make your brushing routine effective.
Start brushing your teeth from the top. Brush in a gentle circular motion, moving the toothbrush across each tooth. Don’t touch the braces, as they may get damaged and cause a little pain. Once you are done with the top, move to the bottom set and repeat the same procedure.
2. Floss & Mouthwash at Least Once a Day
Brushing makes up 70% of the cleaning work. As it’s difficult for a toothbrush to reach all the crevices and cracks between the teeth, you must also floss once a day. Floss with a threader to remove food particles from each tooth that your toothbrush might have missed.
Once you are done with brushing and flossing, rinse your mouth with mouthwash. It reaches the stubborn areas of your teeth that need special attention. For instant fresh breath, it’s recommended to carry a small bottle of mouthwash wherever you go.
3. Use Oral Irrigator to Clean Your Teeth & Braces
For better braces care, you should invest in an oral irrigator. It’s a small appliance that dislodges plaque from gaps between the teeth using pressured water. Most orthodontics recommend this device to their patients for maintaining oral health.
Oral Irrigator is a great way to augment your oral hygiene, especially when you have braces. It comes with suitable pressure-setting control that cleanses food debris from narrow areas of your teeth.
4. Visit Your Orthodontist Regularly
An orthodontist does more than just adjust the braces and tighten your teeth regularly. Routine checkups are essential to spot cavities and signs of gum diseases. If you miss appointments, it might extend your time of wearing braces. Also, timely checkups assure you whether your teeth alignment is moving in the right direction or not.
After routine orthodontic adjustments, you might experience some tightness or a slight amount of time. Your orthodontist may also perform fluoride treatments to provide additional protection to the tooth surface while you have braces.
Mealtime Tips: Important For Orthodontic Treatment Braces
Getting braces improves your teeth alignment and brings a straight smile in the future. But if you eat the wrong food or don’t maintain good dental hygiene, you might damage both your teeth and braces.
Food restrictions are essential topics that come up while putting on braces for the first time. You must adjust your eating habits while having braces, as it protects them from plaque and keeps your oral hygiene intact.
Along with paying attention to what you eat, you need to undertake necessary precautions on how you eat. Chewing your food with your back teeth instead of the front is better and more accessible, as they are stronger. Also, it prevents damage to your braces while eating thicker slices of bread or meat.
Secondly, it’s accessible to eat small bites with a spoon or fork rather than biting directly with your teeth. In doing so, it reduces the risk of breaking braces. If your mouth feels sore from recent adjustments, eat cold foods like popsicles, frozen yoghurt, or cold water. The cold temperature helps to ease the discomfort and relieve pain.
Foods To Eat With Braces
Your mouth gets sensitive while you are having the braces on. Hence, eating food items that have a tough texture might cause pain and discomfort.
Following are the food items you can eat while having braces:
- Cooked vegetables
- Soft bread
- Dairy products like milk, yoghurt, buttermilk, cotton cheese, and cheese
- Lean meats
- Tofu
- Peanut butter
- Soft-ripe fruits like bananas, berries, and peaches.
Eventually, anything that’s easy to chew is preferable. Sensitivity will improve after a week or two. Till then, eat only what suits your teeth.
Foods to Avoid With Braces
Along with the food items you can eat, it’s essential to know the foods you must avoid while you are having the braces. It helps you from pain and damage that can be caused in the future.
Hence, It’s best to avoid the following food items while having braces:
- Popcorn, crunchy chips, and nachos
- Hard candy
- Chewing gums
- Hard crusty bread like pizza crust
- Meats having bones
- Ice creams and pretzels
- Citrus fruits like lemon, orange, and grapefruit
Anything that’s hard on teeth must be avoided. Be mindful that braces are sensitive to damage; hence, avoid such food items as long as you have them on your teeth.
To Conclude:
Along with the above-mentioned brace-care methods, it is recommended to protect braces against any external damage. Avoid playing outdoor sports like cricket and activities such as getting involved in interpersonal violence or accidents. Ensure to follow up with your dentist for professional cleaning and the most appropriate care.
If you are looking forward to understanding the process of removing braces, feel free to book a consultation session with us. We will be happy to assist you. At Smile Care, you are the star and will receive personalised treatment. After all, your smile is precious to us!
Keep Smiling!
FAQ
1.What are braces, and how do they work?
Braces are orthodontic devices designed to correct misaligned teeth and jaw issues. They consist of brackets, wires, and bands that work together to apply gentle pressure on the teeth, gradually shifting them into their proper positions over time.
2.How should I clean my braces?
Proper oral hygiene is crucial during orthodontic treatment. Brush your teeth after every meal and floss at least once a day. Pay special attention to cleaning around the brackets and wires to prevent food particles from getting trapped.
3.Can I still eat normally with braces?
While you should avoid certain foods like sticky candies, hard nuts, and chewy snacks that can damage braces, you can still enjoy a wide variety of foods. Cut tough foods into smaller pieces and avoid biting into hard items to protect your braces.
4.What are some foods to avoid during orthodontic treatment?
Foods to avoid include gum, hard candies, popcorn, ice, tough meats, and anything that requires excessive force to bite into. These foods can damage braces or get stuck, leading to potential complications.
5. How often should I visit my orthodontist during treatment?
Regular orthodontic visits are essential for adjusting and monitoring the progress of your braces. Typically, appointments are scheduled every 4-8 weeks, depending on your treatment plan.