At Southern Smiles in Cary and Clayton, we love helping our patients get the smile they deserve. Our friendly team of Dr. Matthew, Dr. Nar, and Dr. Dan is here to help you make the most of your treatment for metal or clear braces. Braces are a great way to strengthen your teeth and improve your overall oral health. To make things easier, we’ve put together some helpful tips. These are our top do’s and don’ts while wearing braces.
Braces Do’s for You
Put this advice into practice, and you’ll have a great time during your braces treatment.
Consistent Oral Hygiene
Keeping your braces and teeth clean is super important. With braces, food has more space to become stuck in. If you don’t deal with it ASAP, you might have to deal with plaque later. Or worse, gum disease (yikes!). Following a good oral hygiene routine can keep your teeth healthy and your braces in great shape.
Brush After Every Meal
When you have braces, brushing your teeth after every meal is crucial. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and toothpaste. Angle your brush to clean around your brackets and wires. Take your time and be gentle to avoid damaging your braces. This helps remove food particles and plaque, keeping your teeth and braces clean and fresh.
Floss Daily
Flossing with braces might seem like a hassle, but it’s a must. We suggest a floss threader to guide the floss under the wire or try orthodontic flossers made for braces. Gently move the floss up and down between your teeth to remove trapped food and plaque. Doing this daily helps prevent cavities and gum problems and keeps your teeth healthy.
Rinse with Mouthwash
Add antibacterial mouthwash to your oral hygiene routine. It can help kill bacteria and freshen your breath. Rinse with mouthwash daily, especially after brushing and flossing. Choose an alcohol-free mouthwash to avoid drying out your mouth. This extra step can help keep your gums healthy and your smile bright.
Additional Cleaning Tools
Using special cleaning tools can make taking care of your braces easier. Try an orthodontic toothbrush designed to clean around your brackets and wires. A water flosser is also a good investment, as it uses water pressure to clean between your teeth and around your braces. These tools can help keep your mouth extra clean and healthy.
Regular Dental & Orthodontic Check-ups
Don’t skip out on your dental appointments! These visits help catch any problems early and keep your treatment on track. At Southern Smiles in Cary and Clayton, our pediatric dentists, Dr. Nar and Dr. Dan, recommend sticking to your check-up schedule.
Your orthodontist, Dr. Matthew, must see you regularly to adjust your braces and ensure everything progresses. These visits usually happen every 4-8 weeks. They’re an excellent time to ask questions and get tips on caring for your braces. Missing these appointments can delay your treatment, so mark them on your calendar and set reminders.
See Your Dentist Every Six Months
Regular check-ups with your dentist are just as crucial as orthodontic visits. During dental visits, your dentist will thoroughly clean your teeth and check for cavities. Plus, it’s a great way for them to check on your gum health. Professional cleanings help get rid of plaque and tartar that can build up around your braces.
Don’t’s of Braces: Avoiding Common Pitfalls
Wearing braces comes with a few rules about what to avoid. These “don’ts” help keep your braces in good shape and improve your treatment. Let’s look at some common pitfalls to steer clear of while wearing braces.
Avoiding Hard and Sticky Foods
Certain foods can damage your clear or metal braces. Damaged braces make your treatment take longer. Stay away from hard foods like nuts, popcorn, and ice, which can break brackets and wires. Sticky foods like caramel, chewing gum, and gummy candies can gunk up your braces and are hard to clean. Choosing braces-friendly foods helps keep everything intact and running smoothly.
Skipping Dental Appointments
Missing your orthodontist or dentist appointments at Southern Smiles can delay your treatment and lead to bigger problems. Your visits are essential for adjustments and to inspect your teeth and gums. Skipping appointments can result in extended treatment times and unexpected issues. Keep your scheduled visits. If you’re not going to make it, please let us know. We’ll do what we can to get you rescheduled.
Ignoring Orthodontic Issues
If you notice something wrong with your braces, like a broken bracket or a loose wire, don’t ignore it. Small problems can turn into larger ones if you don’t address them quickly. Contact our team as soon as possible to fix any issues.
Using Teeth as Tools
Using your teeth to open boxes or packages, bite your nails, or hold objects can damage your braces and teeth. These habits can bend wires, loosen brackets, and even cause tooth injuries. Always use the right tools for tasks. Your clear or metal braces have enough pressure on them already!
Playing Sports Without a Mouthguard
If you play sports, especially contact sports, mouthguards are a must! Not wearing one puts your braces and teeth at risk of injury. A mouthguard can protect your mouth from impacts and help avoid painful and costly damage. Ask your orthodontist about getting a custom mouthguard that fits over your braces.
Conclusion
How well your braces work depends on how well you take care of them. By following the do’s and avoiding the don’t’s, you can keep your teeth healthy and your braces in top condition. At Southern Smiles, with locations in Cary and Clayton, Dr. Matthew, Dr. Nar, and Dr. Dan remain dedicated to guiding you through your orthodontic journey. If you have any questions or need assistance, we’re here to help. Ready to get started? Schedule a free consultation with us today! Go here for pediatric dentistry or here for orthodontics.