Proper oral care is important for everyone, but for people with braces, it is especially crucial.
Continue reading to learn more about how to properly care for your braces.
Why Is It so Important to Care for My Braces?
Traditional braces consist of metal brackets and wires that cover the teeth and work together to achieve a straighter smile.
Caring for your braces ensures the longevity and durability of your braces and also secures the health of your teeth and gums.
Tooth structure bracket and wires make it difficult to clean teeth thoroughly. Braces can limit your visibility and make it difficult to reach all the surfaces. Food can easily become trapped in braces. If left there, the food debris may lead to decay in the tooth.
Certainly, braces can also make it difficult to remove plaque from the surface of the teeth. Plaque is a sticky bacterial residue that, when left on the surface of the teeth, can lead to decay as the bacteria eats away at the tooth structure.
Following brace-friendly oral care routines can help ensure that you are properly caring for both your braces and your teeth and gums.
How to Brush Your Teeth with Braces
While caring for your braces may require a few extra steps, the general principle behind
brushing remains the same. For the best results, follow these steps for brushing your teeth with
braces:
● Wet your toothbrush and apply a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
● Tilt your brush at a 45-degree angle and brush in circular motions from top to bottom, being sure to clean every surface that you can reach.
● Brush thoroughly for at least two minutes.
● Once you have finished brushing, thoroughly floss your teeth to capture any debris that you were not able to reach while brushing.
● If you have trouble using regular floss with your braces, you may benefit from using a specialized orthodontic floss threader.
● Thoroughly rinse your mouth with mouthwash to finish; this will help eliminate any bacteria that lingers after brushing and flossing.
● Repeat twice daily, or after every meal when possible.
What Can I Eat with Braces?
Maintaining a brace-friendly diet is important, as certain foods can cause damage to the brackets or wires, or may be more prone to becoming trapped.
Foods that you can eat with braces include:
● Milk, yogurt, and cottage cheese
● Cooked vegetables
● Soft fruit (cut into bite-sized pieces)
● Mashed potatoes
● Scrambled eggs
● Pasta
● Tender meats (cut into bite-sized pieces)
● Tofu
Foods to avoid with braces include:
● Nuts
● Popcorn
● Tough meats/Meats on the bone
● Hard, chewy, or sticky candy
● Hard fruits
● Uncooked vegetables
● Chewing gum
● Ice
● Pizza crust
● Chips, pretzels, and hard crackers
Generally recommended to avoid foods and beverages high in sugar content. Sugar
can increase the development of plaque.
What Do I Do if a Wire or Bracket Breaks on My Braces?
Broken wire or bracket can be sharp and potentially dangerous. Always call your orthodontist upon noticing damaged braces, but take immediate action in certain scenarios until you get professional help.
Floating Bracket
In the event that a bracket becomes loose but still remains on the wire, a sterilized pair of tweezers may be used to temporarily reposition the bracket. Experiencing discomfort from a bracket? Use dental wax, cotton, or sugarless gum to cover it until your orthodontist appointment.
Broken or Protruding Wire
Protruding or broken wire can be extremely sharp, posing an immediate risk to the delicate tissues inside the mouth.
For protection and relief, use a Q-tip or a pair of sterilized tweezers to push the wire in a safer direction.
When you are unable to push the wire out of the way, it may be necessary to trim the excess material. This can be done with a pair of small and sterilized nail clippers or pliers. As necessary, a piece of dental wax, cotton, or sugarless chewing gum can be placed over the wire to protect the cheek and gums until you see your orthodontist.
Check our before & after gallery!
Issues on Bent Wire
Bent wire is usually an indication that the patient has eaten something hard, crunchy, or sticky that caused the wire to bend out of shape.
Seek your orthodontist’s assistance promptly to fix a wire that’s bent out of place.
If you have experienced a cut or sore as a result of a broken bracket or wire, be sure to keep the area clean with warm salt water rinses or an antiseptic rinse.
Orthodontic Appointments
Maintaining your regularly scheduled orthodontic appointments is integral to caring for your braces. During these visits, your orthodontist will check the progress of your treatment and examine the teeth for signs of damage or decay. The orthodontist will adjust your treatment or ensure that you receive any restorative dental work you may need.
Some orthodontists may also opt to administer regular fluoride treatments to help ensure the strength and durability of the tooth enamel during treatment.
CaliSmile Orthodontics:
For the best orthodontic treatment in Los Angeles County, trust in CaliSmile Orthodontics. Dr. Amir Dehghan has over 17 years of experience practicing both cosmetic and orthodontic dentistry. He will work with you to achieve the smile of your dreams. CaliSmile Orthodontics has locations in both Encino and West Hills, California. We offer both traditional fixed orthodontic treatment and Invisalign.
For a free orthodontic consultation in one of our Los Angeles County dental offices, give us a call anytime at (310) 710-6527 or fill out our online appointment request form.
Check out our before & after gallery!
