Caring for Your Braces
If you’re one of the millions of people who are now wearing braces, congratulations! You’ve taken an essential step in improving your dental health. But caring for your braces is important, too.
The type of braces you have will determine how you need to take care of them. Our Weatherford orthodontic office offers everything from traditional metal braces to clear aligners. Regardless of the type you choose, you’ll need to take special care of your braces to ensure that they work correctly.
Traditional Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces. They’re made of high-grade stainless steel, and we carefully bond them to your teeth with a unique dental adhesive. You’ll need to visit our office regularly so that we can make adjustments to the braces. Traditional braces may be more challenging to clean than other options, but they’re also a very effective orthodontic treatment appliance.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are made of a translucent material that’s less visible than metal braces. We bond them to your teeth like traditional braces, and caring for them is similar to caring for metal braces.
How to Take Care of Your Braces
Here are some tips on how to keep your braces clean and in good condition:
Clean Your Braces Regularly With a Toothbrush and Water
You’ll need to brush more carefully and thoroughly with braces than before. Good oral hygiene will remove all food and bacteria from around your braces. A toothbrush with soft bristles is best, and you should brush gently so that you don’t damage your gums. Specialized dental hygienic cleaning tools are available to help you clean the difficult-to-reach spots that braces can create.
Brush Your Teeth for Two Minutes at Least Twice a Day
It’s essential to brush your teeth for two minutes at least twice a day to remove all the plaque and bacteria that can build up on your teeth under your braces.
Floss Every Day
It would be best to floss at least once a day to remove the plaque and bacteria that can build up between your teeth.
Eat Healthy Foods and Avoid Sugary Snacks
Eating healthy foods is essential for your overall health, but it’s also important for keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Foods that are high in sugar can cause cavities, so it’s best to avoid them. By keeping your teeth as healthy as possible, you can help your braces do their best possible work.
Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking plenty of water helps keep your mouth and teeth clean, and it’s also good for your overall health. Rinsing with water can deliver health-promoting fluoride to your teeth, and it can flush food and bacteria which may collect around your braces.
See your general dentist for checkups
See your general dentist for checkups and cleanings every 6 months or more frequent if prescribed.
Wear a Mouthguard When Playing Sports
If you wear braces, it’s vital to protect your teeth when playing sports. A mouthguard can help prevent damage to your teeth, gums, and braces.
Be Careful With Hard and Sticky Foods
Hard, sticky, and chewy foods can damage your braces and may lead to tooth decay. Avoid hard and chewy foods as they can bend wires and cause brackets or bands to become loose. Minimize your intake of sugary, sticky, foods and beverages as well as this can lead to decay. While a sweet treat now and again is fine, limit yourself, and ensure that you rinse your braces with water after sugary treats if you cannot immediately brush.
Take Excellent Care Of Your Teeth – And Your Braces
Wood Orthodontics in Weatherford, Texas, can provide any information you may need about braces – from whether or not they are the right option for you to how you can care for them and ensure they’re doing their job.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment.