How Do I Care For My Teeth While I Am Wearing Braces?
Posted on 4/15/2024 by Weo Admin
For teenagers and adults alike, braces can be a necessary evil - a means to an end. Your teeth may be crooked or poorly spaced, but after you get your braces off, your straight, gorgeous teeth are your reward. While you are straightening and spacing your teeth correctly, you need to be careful to make sure your teeth are cared for as well. Here is a guideline for dental care while you are wearing braces.
What Not To Eat
One of the best ways to care for your teeth while you are wearing braces is to avoid eating things that will damage them. Braces are composed of metal wires and either metal, ceramic, or acrylic brackets. There are foods you need to avoid if you are wearing braces. First, be sure that you are not eating foods that are hard to chew whole, such as apples, celery, and steak. You will want to cut these foods into small pieces. Avoid popcorn and hard candies as well because these can break your brackets, which means you will need to get them replaced.
Also, you will want to avoid overly sticky or gummy foods, such as caramel, gum, and gumdrops. These foods can pull brackets off your teeth and deposit a great deal of sugar on your wires or brackets. While a little bit of sugar is okay, a lot of sugar causes excessive amounts of bacteria, causing cavities and gum disease.
Maintain Oral Health
Even if you are the best tooth brusher around, braces can be difficult to keep clean. Our dentist recommends that you brush and floss your teeth after every meal or snack to keep the bacteria in your mouth at low levels. Be sure that you select a toothbrush with soft bristles and that you have dental flossers specifically made for braces.
You should also regularly visit our dentists to ensure your teeth are in good shape. If it has been a while since you have seen our dentist, why not call us today to make an appointment?
For teenagers and adults alike, braces can be a necessary evil - a means to an end. Your teeth may be crooked or poorly spaced, but after you get your braces off, your straight, gorgeous teeth are your reward. While you are straightening and spacing your teeth correctly, you need to be careful to make sure your teeth are cared for as well. Here is a guideline for dental care while you are wearing braces.