Maintaining your dental braces is crucial to ensuring a smooth and effective treatment journey, and we at Greensborough Dental understand its importance. Dental braces are an investment in your long-term oral health and a beautiful, straight smile. To get the most out of your treatment and achieve the best results, it’s essential to follow proper maintenance practices.
In this blog, we will walk you through expert tips and tricks to care for your dental braces, addressing everything from daily cleaning to dealing with discomfort, so you can confidently care for your braces throughout your treatment.
Why Is Dental Braces Maintenance Important?
Dental braces are designed to straighten teeth and improve overall dental alignment. While they are highly effective, they require careful attention and maintenance to function properly. Neglecting your braces can lead to longer treatment times, potential damage, or even setbacks in your progress.
Proper care not only keeps your braces in good condition but also promotes better oral health by preventing plaque buildup, cavities, and gum disease.
Daily Braces Care: Cleaning and Hygiene
One of the most critical aspects of maintaining dental braces is keeping them clean. Since braces have brackets and wires that can trap food particles and plaque, regular cleaning is essential to prevent buildup and ensure your teeth stay healthy.
1. Brush Your Teeth After Every Meal
Brushing your teeth after every meal is a must when you have dental braces. Food particles can easily get stuck in your braces, which can lead to plaque buildup, cavities, and bad breath. We recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Make sure to brush each tooth thoroughly, angling the toothbrush at 45 degrees to ensure you cleans around the brackets and wires. Don’t forget to brush your gums as well, as they play a crucial role in maintaining oral health.
2. Use an Interdental Brush or Proxy Brush
Traditional toothbrushes can sometimes miss hard-to-reach areas around your braces. To ensure thorough cleaning, we recommend using an interdental brush (or proxy brush). These small, cone-shaped brushes can easily fit between your brackets and wires, allowing you to remove food debris and plaque buildup from hard-to-reach spots. It’s a good idea to use an interdental brush once or twice a day, especially after meals.
3. Floss Daily with Braces-Friendly Tools
Flossing with traditional floss can be challenging when you have braces. However, it’s still an essential part of maintaining your oral health. Use orthodontic floss threaders or special floss designed for braces to help you navigate around the wires and brackets. If you’re not sure how to floss with braces, we are happy to show you at Greensborough Dental.
4. Rinse with Mouthwash
A good mouthwash can help remove bacteria and freshen your breath after brushing and flossing. Choose a fluoride mouthwash or an alcohol-free version to protect your gums and teeth. Rinse for 30 seconds after your regular cleaning routine for added protection against cavities and gum disease.
Foods to Avoid While Wearing Braces
Maintaining a healthy diet is an essential aspect of braces care. Certain foods can damage your braces or get stuck between your wires and brackets, making it harder to clean them properly.
1. Sticky Foods
Sticky foods like caramel, chewing gum, and taffy can easily become stuck to your braces, leading to plaque buildup and potential damage to your brackets. These foods can also be difficult to remove, even with thorough cleaning, so it’s best to avoid them altogether during your braces treatment.
2. Hard and Crunchy Foods
Hard and crunchy foods like nuts, popcorn, and hard candy can damage your brackets or wires. These foods can also create pressure on your teeth, which may cause discomfort or slow down the alignment process. If you enjoy crunchy foods, cut them into smaller, bite-sized pieces before eating.
3. Sugary Snacks and Beverages
Sugary snacks and beverages can contribute to plaque buildup, which increases the risk of cavities and gum disease. Soda, sports drinks, and sugary treats should be limited during your treatment. If you do indulge, always brush your teeth afterward.
4. Chewy Meats and Bread
Chewy meats like steak or pork and dense, chewy bread can get stuck between your braces, making it harder to clean your teeth properly. If you do eat these foods, make sure to cut them into smaller pieces and chew carefully.
Managing Discomfort and Irritation
It’s common to experience some discomfort or irritation when you first get your braces or after an adjustment. This is because the braces are applying pressure to your teeth, moving them into their proper position. Here are some tips to manage any discomfort during your treatment.
1. Use Orthodontic Wax
Orthodontic wax is a lifesaver when it comes to dealing with irritation caused by your braces. If your brackets are rubbing against the inside of your lips or cheeks, you can apply a small amount of wax to the brackets to provide relief. This will help prevent sores from developing and make your braces more comfortable.
2. Pain Relief Medication
If you’re experiencing discomfort after a recent adjustment, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help ease the pain. Always follow the recommended dosage instructions, and if discomfort persists or becomes severe.
3. Saltwater Rinses
Rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater can soothe irritated gums and reduce inflammation. Mix a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and rinse for 30 seconds. This can help alleviate discomfort from sore spots caused by braces.
4. Cold Compress
If you’re experiencing significant discomfort, applying a cold compress to your cheeks can help numb the area and reduce swelling. Simply wrap ice in a cloth and apply it to the outside of your mouth for 10-15 minutes at a time.
Regular Visits
Routine visits are essential for monitoring the progress of your braces treatment. We will check the fit of your braces, ensure they are functioning correctly, and make any necessary adjustments. Regular checkups help to avoid complications and ensure that your treatment stays on track.
If you experience any issues between your appointments, such as broken brackets or loose wires, be sure to contact us promptly. We can schedule a visit to fix any problems and keep your treatment progressing smoothly.
Conclusion
Taking care of your dental braces is key to achieving the best possible results from your orthodontic treatment. By following these tips and tricks for cleaning, maintaining, and protecting your braces, you’ll ensure a smoother treatment process and enjoy the benefits of a straight, beautiful smile.
At Greensborough Dental, we are committed to helping you throughout your braces journey, offering professional advice and guidance along the way. If you have any questions about braces care or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Your healthy smile is just a few steps away!