Tips for Caring for Your Braces

Posted by kelvin ray on September 15th, 2016

Here are a few tips on how to best maintain your braces.

Brush brush brush. And brush. And then brush some more. Yes, it may seem excessive. However braces create many small spaces where food can easily get lodged. Should food buildup not be brushed away, plaque will form and lead to tooth decay as well as many other serious health problems. Doctor recommends that patients brush after each meal, as well as right before bed and after snacks if need be. This will ensure that there is no food left behind to create problems.

Be wary of diet. Many foods can be detrimental to braces structure. Gum, caramels, and other sticky foods should be avoided at all costs. Extremely hard or crunchy foods can be problematic as well. Of course, no one wants to cut out the foods they love during treatment. But eating these foods can lead to broken wires or brackets that will hurt your mouth or even extended treatment time.

Don’t forget to floss. Flossing is extremely important to oral health because it eliminates gum diseases and cavities. Yet because it becomes more difficult with braces, many people skip this step. Thread the floss under the main wire of the braces, and then proceed as you normally would, making sure to clean every spot. Floss is less likely to get stuck if it is waxed, so look for a waxed brand.

Watch out for over whitening. Many types of toothpaste nowadays contain whitening agents. While everyone wants a pearly white smile, those with braces should be careful of just how much whitening you do while undergoing orthodontic treatment. Brackets take up a significant amount of space on the tooth, and whitening treatments usually cannot get under this area. Therefore, when the braces come off, you may find a section of your tooth to be discolored if you have accidentally whitened only the area around where the brackets were. To be safe, avoid whitening during treatment. Keep in mind that the same goes for stains. Coffee, red wine, and other foods may stain the tooth in only the exposed area. Be wary of your teeth’s coloring.

Contact Dr. Mark Nalbandian and the team at Wired Orthodontics! Should you encounter any issues, breakages, or simple any questions, do not hesitate to contact Wired Orthodontics Toronto. Letting problems go unsolved can be harmful to oral health and can extend treatment times. Visit http://www.wiredorthodontics.ca/ or call our office at 647-344-9473 immediately!