Oral Care with Braces

Traditional wire braces are an effective way to straighten your teeth and achieve a healthy smile. However, caring for braces requires extra attention to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout your orthodontic treatment. This guide will provide you with essential tips for maintaining excellent oral hygiene while wearing traditional wire braces.

Brushing with Braces:

Brushing is crucial for removing food particles and plaque that can accumulate around your braces. It is recommended to brush your teeth at least twice a day, or even better, after every meal. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.

• Technique: Gently brush around each bracket and wire, making sure to clean all surfaces of your teeth. Pay close attention to the areas between your braces and gums, where food particles often get trapped.
• Duration: Spend at least two minutes brushing to ensure thorough cleaning.

Flossing with Braces:

Flossing is just as important as brushing, as it removes plaque and food debris from between your teeth and under the gumline, areas that your toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing with braces can be a bit more challenging, but with the right tools and technique, it becomes manageable.

• Tools: Use floss threaders or orthodontic floss to navigate the floss under the wires and between your teeth.
• Technique: Gently slide the floss between two teeth, then curve it into a “C” shape against one tooth and slide it up and down. Repeat this process for each tooth, using a clean section of floss each time.

Foods to Avoid:

Certain foods can damage your braces or get stuck in them, increasing the risk of cavities and other dental problems. It’s important to avoid:

• Sticky Foods: Chewy candies, caramel, and gum can stick to your braces and be difficult to remove.
• Hard Foods: Nuts, hard candies, and ice can bend or break wires and brackets.

Regular Dental and Orthodontist Visits:

Maintaining your regular appointments with both your dentist and orthodontist is essential throughout your braces treatment.

• Dentist: Regular dental checkups and cleanings, typically every six months, are important to maintain overall oral health and prevent cavities and gum disease.
• Orthodontist: Your orthodontist appointments, usually scheduled every few weeks, are necessary for adjusting your braces and monitoring your treatment progress. Never miss these appointments.

By following these care instructions and maintaining consistent oral hygiene practices, you can ensure a successful orthodontic treatment and a healthy, beautiful smile once your braces are removed.