Orthodontic home care for traditional braces
Once traditional braces are placed, daily oral care becomes even more important. Braces create additional surfaces where food and plaque can collect, so maintaining good oral hygiene helps protect your teeth and gums during orthodontic treatment.
Proper home care can help prevent gum inflammation, tooth decay, and permanent staining of the teeth while also helping your orthodontic treatment progress smoothly.
Avoiding foods that can damage braces
Certain foods can damage brackets and wires or become stuck in your braces. Hard, sticky, or chewy foods should be avoided throughout orthodontic treatment to help prevent broken brackets or bent wires.
Sugary drinks such as soda, sports drinks, and energy drinks can weaken enamel and increase the risk of tooth decay. Limiting or eliminating these beverages can help protect your teeth while wearing braces.
It is also important to avoid chewing on hard objects like ice cubes, pens, or pencils, as these can damage orthodontic appliances.
Brushing with braces
Brushing should be done after every meal to remove food particles that may become trapped around brackets and wires. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste helps remove plaque while protecting enamel.
Take extra time to brush around each bracket and along the gumline to keep the teeth and braces clean.
Flossing and cleaning between braces
Flossing is an essential part of orthodontic home care. Because wires and brackets create additional areas for plaque to collect, flossing helps remove debris from between teeth and along the gumline.
Special orthodontic floss, floss threaders, or interdental brushes can make it easier to clean around brackets and wires.
Water flossers can also be helpful for removing food particles from hard-to-reach areas between the teeth and braces.
Additional tools for oral hygiene
Some patients benefit from using fluoride mouthwash during orthodontic treatment. Mouthwash can reach areas that a toothbrush may miss and help strengthen enamel.
Your dentist or orthodontist may also recommend specific cleaning tools designed to help maintain oral health while wearing braces.
Protecting your braces during activities
If you play contact sports, talk with your dentist or orthodontist about wearing a mouth guard to protect your teeth and braces.
If a wire or bracket begins to irritate the inside of your mouth, orthodontic wax can be placed over the area to help reduce discomfort.
Staying on track with treatment
Regular dental cleanings and orthodontic appointments are important during treatment with braces. These visits allow your dentist to monitor oral health and ensure your orthodontic appliances are working properly.
If you experience severe discomfort, a loose bracket, or a broken wire, contact your dental office so the issue can be addressed as soon as possible.
BatesDDS provides dental and restorative dentistry services for patients in Deer Park, Spokane, and surrounding communities throughout Eastern Washington and North Idaho.
If you have questions about this treatment, explore the dental services we offer at BatesDDS.
If you would like to schedule an appointment or speak with our team, please contact our office.