Caring for your Braces
By Robert Nay Ortho
In
Cosmetic Dentistry
December 7, 2018
Braces do wonders for your smile and will change your habits while wearing them, specifically in how you brush your teeth. Caring for your smile while wearing braces, and protecting the appliances themselves is important in making sure your treatment is successful and that your teeth are as healthy as possible. Dr. Nay recommends the following for ensuring a positive experience:
Invest in a Water Flosser
It should come as no surprise that making sure all the surfaces of your teeth are clean is of the utmost importance when wearing braces. Since brackets and wires present obstacles for a normal toothbrush, a water flosser is a great way to remove debris from between teeth and around the gum line. This makes it easy to make sure your smile is healthy while you’re wearing braces.
Use Special Tools Recommended by your Dentist
If you do not like using a water flosser, you’ll still need to clean between teeth and around brackets. You can do this with a floss threader, a slim and flexible bit of plastic with a loop at the end where you can hook floss through and pull between teeth. Your orthodontist can provide some for you to try in the office or you can purchase these over the counter.
Carry Dental Supplies with You
Food can become stuck between teeth and appliances during the day, which can be bothersome and irritate soft tissue. Make sure you carry floss picks, mouthwash, a travel toothbrush and anything else you may need to keep your teeth clean after meals and while you are away from home. You may also want to carry some dental wax to apply to brackets and wires if they irritate any soft tissue.
Avoid Hard, Sticky, and Crunchy Foods
Dr. Nay will provide you with a list of foods to avoid, but in general, anything that is sticky can pull brackets and wires out of position. Biting into crunchy or hard foods can also snap off appliances. Popcorn, candy, and tortilla chips are usually off the list. Patients should also cut food into pieces, instead of biting directly into something dense, such as an apple.
Questions about Braces? Ask Dr. Nay
Our team at the office of Nay Orthodontics is here to help patients’ smiles look and feel their best. If you have questions about what it’s like to wear braces and how you can care for your smile while wearing them, contact our office to speak to a member of our team.