Taking Care of Your Dental Braces – The Do’s and Don’ts

Wearing braces is among the first steps toward that ideal smile, and it will be well worth the effort. To ensure that you achieve your purpose in the end, you must pay special attention to your dental health in order to keep your teeth, gums, and braces in good working order. Apart from how to lessen discomfort after a fitting, there are a few things you should know if you\’ve recently received braces or are considering getting braces. Here is a list of everything you should and shouldn\’t do when it comes to braces maintenance.

Do’s: 

Brush your teeth regularly: Brushing the teeth regularly is an integral part of good oral hygiene. When you have braces on, it is even more important to brush regularly and carefully. Braces consist of wires and brackets where food particles can collect and germs and plaque can grow. Food particles must be eliminated as soon as possible to avoid plaque from damaging the teeth and gums. Besides, brushing also helps to prevent tooth discoloration, decay, and gum disease. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is usually suggested, but if you have braces on, you must clean and rinse your teeth after every meal. 

Floss and gargle regularly: Flossing is just as important as brushing your teeth when it comes to caring for the braces. This will get rid of any food particles which are too difficult to get rid of using toothbrush bristles. . All you have to do is skillfully thread the floss between the braces wire and the tooth. Use a floss threader to make this step easier. Additionally, a water flosser might be of great use. It removes food particles between the teeth using water at high pressure, and when performed correctly, it could be more efficient and effective than string floss. It\’s also simple to use, safe on dental restorations and implants, and suitable for use with orthodontic appliances such as braces.

On the other hand, gargling is considered the best practice as it greatly helps to dislodge the stuck food particles out of the braces. It is one of the simplest things one can do after every meal. 

Wear protective mouth guards: You should take extra measures if you play any sport where you could be stuck in the mouth. When playing and even during practice sessions it is critical to safeguard your mouth and braces. Consult your dentist so that a guard can be provided. In this manner, both your braces and your teeth are protected.

Visit your orthodontist regularly: It is essential to visit your orthodontist regularly to keep the track of things and the status of your treatment in check. Even if you do not have a scheduled appointment, step into the dental clinic if you experience any discomfort or notice any change in your teeth, gums, and orthodontic appliances.  

Don’ts: 

Following are some of the things you should avoid when you have braces on

Do not eat sticky, chewy, hard food: If you have braces, you must be extra conscious of the things you consume. Braces trap food particles in more places than teeth without braces. Avoid sticky, chewy, crunchy, and sugary food. Such types of foods will damage the orthodontic hardware and induce gum diseases/dental decay. 

Do not get your hands on the elastic bands: The elastic bands in your braces perform an important function in restoring the alignment of your teeth, despite their inconvenience. Wiggling elastic bands incorrectly might slow down the realignment process, damage the braces, or cause oral injuries.

Do not chew on pencils or bite your nails: Many people undergoing orthodontic treatment are aware of the importance of avoiding specific meals, however, they frequently overlook the importance of avoiding anxious behaviors such as chewing on pencils or biting their nails. While we understand that chewing on solid, inedible things is sometimes done unintentionally, it is critical to avoid doing so to preserve the brackets and wires. 

Do not miss your appointment: It is important to stick to your orthodontic schedule and arrive on time for the appointment so that your orthodontist can adjust your braces and keep the treatment on track.