How to Care for Your Teeth If You Have Braces

• The Importance of Oral Hygiene with Braces
• How to Brush Your Teeth with Braces
• Flossing and Interdental Care with Braces
• How to Care for Your Braces and Prevent Damage
• Foods to Avoid While Wearing Braces
• Dealing with Discomfort from Braces
• Maintenance Tips for Long-Term Success with Braces

The Importance of Oral Hygiene with Braces

When you get braces, maintaining good oral hygiene becomes more important than ever. Braces create additional crevices and surfaces where food particles and plaque can accumulate, making it easier for bacteria to build up. This can lead to gum disease, tooth decay, and even damage to your braces if proper care is not taken.

For those with braces, brushing and flossing are essential to keep your mouth healthy and your treatment on track. If plaque and food are allowed to linger, they can lead to staining, cavities, and gum issues that could hinder the effectiveness of your braces or extend your treatment time. By practicing good oral hygiene, you're not only protecting your teeth but also ensuring that your braces work effectively, ultimately contributing to a successful outcome.

How to Brush Your Teeth with Braces

Brushing with braces can feel like a challenge, but with the right technique and tools, it’s entirely manageable. Here’s how to properly brush your teeth when you have braces:

1. Choose the Right Toothbrush

A soft-bristled toothbrush is essential when you have braces. You can also invest in a special orthodontic toothbrush that has bristles designed to clean around the brackets and wires more effectively. Alternatively, using an electric toothbrush can help you achieve a more thorough clean, as they are specifically designed to remove plaque and bacteria from hard-to-reach areas.

2. Brush at a 45-Degree Angle

When brushing, hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gumline. This angle helps to clean around the brackets and underneath the wires. Use gentle circular motions to ensure that you’re not damaging your gums or braces. Be patient and focus on each tooth, taking the time to remove any plaque or food buildup.

3. Clean the Brackets and Wires

Ensure that you carefully brush all sides of your brackets and wires, especially the areas where food is more likely to get trapped. Make sure to brush the tops, bottoms, and the sides of each bracket thoroughly. Don’t forget the areas between the wires and the teeth. You may need to use a smaller toothbrush or an interdental brush to clean the hard-to-reach spots.

4. Rinse and Check

After brushing, rinse your mouth with water or an antimicrobial mouthwash. Use your finger or a mirror to check for any remaining food particles or plaque. This extra step ensures your mouth is completely clean, and your braces stay in top shape.

Flossing and Interdental Care with Braces

Flossing with braces can be a little more difficult than regular flossing, but it’s essential to remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and around the brackets. Traditional floss can’t always get the job done, so it’s important to use the right tools for effective flossing and interdental care:

1. Use Special Orthodontic Floss or Floss Threaders

Orthodontic floss is designed to slide easily under the wire and between your teeth. Alternatively, you can use a floss threader, which acts like a needle to thread the floss underneath the wire, making it easier to floss your teeth properly. Using these tools ensures that the floss can reach all areas where food and plaque are likely to accumulate.

2. Consider Interdental Brushes

Interdental brushes are small brushes that fit between the teeth and around the brackets. These brushes can be highly effective for cleaning areas that floss may miss. They are especially helpful for people with braces, as they can clean between the brackets and the gumline where food can get stuck. You can use them in addition to flossing for a more thorough clean.

3. Floss at Least Once a Day

While it might take a little longer to floss with braces, it’s essential to floss at least once a day. Doing so helps prevent plaque buildup and keeps your gums healthy. If you neglect flossing, plaque can accumulate and lead to gum disease and cavities, both of which can delay your orthodontic treatment.

How to Care for Your Braces and Prevent Damage

Braces are durable, but they are not invincible. It's important to take care of your braces to avoid damage and ensure that your treatment goes as smoothly as possible. Here’s how you can care for your braces and avoid common issues:

1. Avoid Hard or Sticky Foods

One of the most common causes of damage to braces is eating hard or sticky foods. Hard foods can bend or break wires and brackets, while sticky foods can get stuck in the braces, making them harder to clean. Avoid foods like popcorn, chewing gum, caramel, and hard candies while wearing braces. Opt for softer foods to prevent unnecessary damage to your braces.

2. Use a Mouthguard for Sports

If you play contact sports, be sure to wear a mouthguard. A mouthguard protects both your teeth and your braces from impact. The braces can cause cuts or bruising to the inside of your mouth if you fall or are hit in the face, so it’s always best to take the extra step and wear protection.

3. Avoid Using Your Teeth as Tools

It may seem obvious, but many people tend to use their teeth to open packages, bite their nails, or even crack open a bottle. Doing so can put unnecessary stress on your braces and cause them to bend or break. Always use proper tools, and avoid using your teeth as tools to protect your braces.

Foods to Avoid While Wearing Braces

In addition to the general advice of avoiding hard or sticky foods, here’s a list of specific foods that you should steer clear of while wearing braces:

• Chewy Foods: Bagels, licorice, and taffy can stick to your braces and cause difficulty when cleaning.
• Hard Foods: Foods like raw vegetables, nuts, and hard candies can break or bend wires and brackets.
• Crunchy Foods: Popcorn, chips, and ice can cause damage to your braces and are difficult to clean off effectively.
• Sticky Foods: Caramel, gum, and toffee can stick to the brackets and wires, leading to buildup and possible breakage.

Dealing with Discomfort from Braces

It’s common to experience discomfort when you first get braces or after an adjustment. The pressure from the braces can cause soreness in your teeth and gums. Here’s how to manage the discomfort:

1. Use Orthodontic Wax

Orthodontic wax can be applied to the brackets to create a smooth surface, preventing irritation to the inside of your cheeks. This is especially helpful when you first get your braces or after adjustments when the brackets can rub against your mouth.

2. Over-the-Counter Pain Relief

If you experience significant pain, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help alleviate the discomfort. Be sure to follow the recommended dosage instructions on the label.

Maintenance Tips for Long-Term Success with Braces

Long-term success with braces comes down to consistent care and maintenance. Here are a few tips to ensure your treatment stays on track:

1. Regular Orthodontic Checkups

Visiting your orthodontist regularly is crucial for ensuring that your braces are working effectively. These checkups allow your orthodontist to make any necessary adjustments and monitor your progress.

2. Follow Your Orthodontist’s Instructions

Your orthodontist will provide you with guidelines on how to care for your braces, including when to wear rubber bands and how to handle any issues that arise. It’s important to follow these instructions carefully to ensure the best possible results from your treatment.

3. Be Patient

Finally, it’s important to be patient. Braces take time to work, and it may take several months or even years to achieve your desired results. Maintaining proper oral hygiene, avoiding damage, and following your orthodontist’s advice will help ensure that your treatment progresses smoothly.