Getting your braces is an exciting step. Continuing to practice good oral hygiene while wearing your braces is important. You also need to be sure to care for your braces, so that your treatment plan is not disrupted. Your smile will be brighter than ever once your metal braces align your teeth. At Walla Walla Orthodontics, we’ll answer any questions that you have before, during, and after aligning your teeth.
Continue reading for five tips that will help you when you have metal braces.
1. Brush your Teeth Twice a Day
Some patients are hesitant to brush their teeth when they are wearing braces because they are afraid of damaging the wires or brackets. Use a soft bristled brush to clean your teeth, mouth, and braces. Gently, brush each tooth, front and back, to ensure that you remove any food particles. Tilt your brush next to your gums to capture pieces of food. Against the top and then the bottom of your braces’ brackets, tilt your brush to clean those areas.
Be sure to brush in the morning and at night before bed. After you eat during the day, use water to rinse your mouth. This will reduce the amount of food that accumulates in your mouth.
2. Floss Daily
Another tip that we at Walla Walla Orthodontics have for you while you wear your braces is to floss every single day. You should floss at least once a day. This is an essential step for your mouth’s health. Flossing can prevent periodontal issues, tooth decay, and bad breath.
One change you have from how you flossed before braces is working around the wires. Take your floss, slip it between your teeth and under the metal wires of your braces. While the floss is underneath a wire, don’t tug on it.
We’ll be happy to show you how to floss once you have your braces on.
3. Use a Water-Powered Flossing Tool
A helpful tool to add to your oral hygiene routine is a water-powered flosser or an oral irrigator. This is a wonderful complement to brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. If you miss spots flossing because of the wires, this tool will clean them.
Pressurized water is gently emitted from the wand. Particles of food, bacteria, and any plaque in your mouth will be removed without damaging your metal braces or wires.
4. Visit your Orthodontist
As part of your treatment plan, your Walla Walla Orthodontist will discuss how often you need to visit our office. We’re trained to spot any concerns that would negatively affect the application of your braces, and we can and will fix any issues that arise. Missed appointments can add to the amount of time that you need to wear braces.
When we check your teeth and braces, we will discuss next steps with you. It is important that you ask questions, so that you can follow the directions for treatment that we provide.
5. Eat Healthy Foods
Braces add some extra stress to your mouth. The bones in your mouth, your gums, and your teeth need nutritious foods. Eating a well-balanced diet will provide you with the nutrients for good oral hygiene and a healthy mouth. You should avoid very hard and sticky foods that can get stuck in your braces.
Contant Walla Walla Orthodontics with any questions!
The author, Dr. David K Simson is a trained radiation oncologist specializing in advanced radiation techniques such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) / Rapid Arc, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT), stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). He is also experienced in interstitial, intracavitary, and intraluminal brachytherapy.