When you wear braces, you must care for the devices properly to avoid damaging the brackets or wires. If you don’t care for your braces, then a dislodged bracket or broken wire is an inconvenience, but it will also disrupt your treatment plan. The way that you will take care of your braces can vary, depending on the type of materials that are in the items. The most common type of braces are made from metal, but today, there are also sets that have ceramic brackets and aligners made of plastic. When braces are placed on your teeth, our orthodontist will explain the proper cleaning techniques. Following your orthodontist’s guidelines for the care of your braces can prevent problems from bad breath, gum disease and tooth decay.
Follow Your Recommended Daily Hygiene Plan
To keep your braces clean and remove food particles from your teeth and gums, you should brush your teeth for two minutes following every meal. We recommend that you use a small-headed, soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid damaging the brackets or wires. Small, gentle, circular motions on the outside and inside surfaces of your teeth will ensure thorough cleaning, keeping in mind to angle the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle from the gumline.
Flossing your teeth is also essential, and you should do this after every meal as well. It is advised that you use a special orthodontic floss or floss threader to move the thread behind each wire. Rope the ends of the floss around you index fingers, taking care to leave a few inches of floss between. Carefully slip the thread between each pair of teeth with a gentle back-and-forth motion, flossing the side of each tooth down to the gum line to eliminate food particles and plaque.
Make Sure to Follow a Proper Dietary Plan
With braces your teeth an easily take a on a extensive variety of foods, but there are some selections you must avoid to protect from damage. Some of the foods to be eschewed include hard or sticky items such as caramel candy, taffy, and lollipops, as well as hard foods and options that requiring you bite into them (e.g. corn on the cob, carrots, apples, etc.)
For more information on how to care for your braces, we invite you to reach out and make an appointment at Central Texas Orthodontics! At our convenient location in Austin, TX, our dedicated staff of caring professionals will be happy to explain the best ways to maintain your oral health, answer any questions you may have, and help to give you a grin you love to bare. Contact us today to book your consultation!
