Wearing braces is a great way to straighten your teeth and ensure that your smile is perfect. However at the same time it is challenging and if you aren’t careful your braces can end up getting damaged and becoming ineffective – or causing other issues.
Suffice to say it is important that you take care of your braces and ensure that they are clean and well-maintained. That can be done in many different ways, but the best are to:
- Avoid eating foods that are too hard
As a rule you should stay away from any food that is too hard and requires forceful chewing that could inadvertently damage your braces. Some types of food that you may want to avoid are hard nuts, carrots, pretzels, French loaf, and so on.
- Stay away from sugar
Another rule that you need to adopt is to stay away from sugary food as much as possible. The sugar will stick to the metal parts of your braces and can stay there and cause plaque to form very quickly if not cleaned off.
- Drink lots and lots of water
Water is definitely your friend if you’re wearing braces, and you should make it a point to drink lots of water – especially after you eat. It will wash down the food stuck to your braces, and keep it from causing any issues.
If you want you could get into the habit of gargling with water after you eat. It is possible to use mouthwash if you prefer, but you should get one prescribed from your dentist if that is the case.
- Brush and floss – regularly and thoroughly
While you’re wearing braces you need to make it a point to keep them (and your teeth) clean. That is why it is key to brush and floss on a regular basis, and always be thorough.
It is best to use a soft bristled toothbrush when brushing, and as far as flossing is concerned you may want to consult your dentist and get a recommendation from them regarding the type of floss to use.
- Brush your tongue
In addition to brushing your teeth thoroughly, you should also take a bit of time to brush your tongue. Honestly speaking there’s a lot of bacteria that accumulates on the tongue, and the more of it that you can remove by brushing – the better.
- Use a mirror to check your braces
One excellent habit when you get braces Birmingham is to carry around a small mirror and check your braces and teeth after meals. It will let you spot food particles that may be lodged in the braces early, and let you remove them before they start to cause issues.
- Steer clear of sticky foods and drinks
Any food or drinks that are sticky should definitely be off the menu while you’re wearing braces. That can include foods such as chewing gum or caramel, as well as drinks such as cola.
- Keep your dentist and orthodontist appointments
It is important that you never skip any appointments, both to your regular dentist as well as your orthodontist. If you do start to skip appointments you’ll run the risk that any issues with your braces won’t be spotted early.
Aside from your regular appointments you should always book an appointment as soon as you notice any potential issues – so that they can be dealt with quickly.
If you follow everything described above, taking care of your braces shouldn’t be that difficult. In the event that you need any further advice or help with any specific issues, you should always check with your dentist and orthodontist first.
