How to Care for Your Braces: Tips From Panorama City Orthodontists
To care for your braces;
Create a thorough cleaning routine to prevent buildup of food particles and plaque
Eat the right foods to keep your overall health on track and ensure your braces remain intact
Wear a rubber mouthguard to protect your teeth and prevent damage to your braces during sports
Avoid biting fingernails, chewing on ice and any hard objects that would damage your braces
Ensure regular check-ups to assess progress and address any concerns
If you have any questions, call (818) 510-3440 to talk to us.
1. Create a thorough cleaning routine to prevent buildup of food particles and plaque
When you have braces, the extra brackets and wires create a challenging environment for maintaining good oral hygiene. That's why you need a thorough cleaning routine to prevent the buildup of food particles and plaque that lead to oral health issues.
Your teeth are more prone to trapping food and plaque, increasing the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. To avoid this, brush your teeth after every meal.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to clean around the brackets and wires. Brush in circular, vibrating motions, focusing on the gum line. Clean the inside surfaces of your teeth with a straight-up-down-out motion. This ensures you remove all food particles and plaque.
If you are eating in a restaurant or away from home, use a Water-pik or gargle with water or mouthwash after meals.
In addition to brushing, include flossing in your daily routine. Using floss threaders or orthodontic floss, carefully pull it between the wire and brackets to remove any particles your toothbrush may have missed. Regular flossing prevents plaque buildup and maintains healthy gums.
Effective Brushing Techniques
Master effective brushing techniques to ensure no plaque and food particles escape. This is essential for maintaining oral hygiene.
Here are the essential techniques to remember:
Angle the Brush: Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to clean around the brackets and wires.
Use Soft-Bristled Toothbrush: Use a soft-bristled or an electric toothbrush designed for orthodontic care.
Brush After Every Meal: Spend at least two minutes brushing after every meal to remove all debris.
Use Fluoride Toothpaste: Use fluoride toothpaste to protect your teeth from decay and strengthen your enamel.
The Role of Flossing in Caring for Braces
Flossing helps maintain cleanliness around the brackets and wires. When you floss daily, you remove food particles and plaque between your teeth and around the brackets, which brushing can't reach.
To floss correctly, use a floss threader to insert the floss under the archwire. Then, gently pull the floss through and form a 'C' shape, moving it up and down the tooth surfaces, making certain to go beneath the gum line. This helps remove plaque and debris from the tight spaces your brush can't reach.
Using fresh sections of floss for each tooth and carefully cleaning around every bracket and wire will ensure no food particles or bacteria are left behind.
Flossing becomes a manageable part of your daily oral hygiene routine with consistent practice, helping you maintain healthy teeth and gums throughout your orthodontic treatment.
2. Eat the right foods to keep your overall health on track and ensure your braces remain intact
Eating the right foods will keep your overall health on track and help ensure your braces remain intact and functional.
To make the most of your orthodontic care, avoid certain food types that can damage your braces. Here are some dietary guidelines to keep in mind:
Avoid Sticky Foods: Substances like caramel, taffy, and gum can get stuck in your brackets, making cleaning a challenge.
Avoid Hard Items: Nuts, hard candies, and even crunchy foods like chips or popcorn can break or dislodge your brackets and wires.
Avoid Chewy Foods: Avoid eating chewy foods like raw vegetables, apples, or hard meats. Instead, cut them into smaller pieces to reduce the pressure on your braces.
Special Care for Popcorn: Unpopped kernels can damage your braces. If you must eat popcorn, floss immediately afterward.
Soft and Bite-Sized: Focus on eating soft, bite-sized foods that can be easily chewed without exerting excessive force on your brackets and wires.
3. Wear a rubber mouthguard to protect your teeth and prevent damage to your braces during sports
If you must participate in contact sports or activities that could result in mouth trauma, wear a rubber mouthguard to protect your teeth and prevent damage to your braces. This ensures braces stay in place and prevents unexpected trips to the orthodontist. Our team is happy to assist you in finding the perfect mouthguard that fits your needs.
You should inspect your mouth and braces immediately for damage in a sports emergency or injury. If you notice loose teeth or broken wires, contact our office immediately to schedule a repair appointment. In the meantime, alleviate discomfort by swishing salt water or applying wax to the affected area.
Follow the guidelines and recommendations provided by our orthodontist to minimize the risk of damage.
If you have any questions or concerns about sports safety with braces, contact our orthodontist neat you. We are dedicated to ensuring your treatment's success and overall well-being.
4. Avoid biting fingernails, chewing on ice and any hard objects that would damage your braces
Chewing on ice or hard objects, biting fingernails, and eating sticky or crunchy foods can damage brackets or wires, jeopardizing orthodontic progress.
Some common habits to avoid include:
Chewing on Ice: This can cause brackets to break or wires to bend, which can lengthen your treatment time.
Biting Fingernails: This puts unnecessary pressure on your teeth and can lead to discomfort.
Using Teeth as Tools: Avoid using our teeth to open packages or bottles as this can loosen brackets and wires.
Not Wearing a Mouthguard: Not using a protective mouthguard during sports can increase the risk of facial injury and damage to your orthodontic appliances.
5. Ensure regular check-ups to assess progress and address any concerns
By committing to regular orthodontic visits, you ensure your braces are working and that any complications are caught before they escalate into larger problems. We recommend check-ups every 4-6 weeks.
Here are the benefits of regular orthodontic visits:
Efficient Treatment Progress: Regular visits ensure your teeth align as planned and any adjustments to the treatment can be made.
Early Complication Detection: Regular check-ups enable the orthodontist to identify and address issues such as loose brackets or broken wires before they impact your treatment.
Customized Care: Our orthodontist can provide personalized advice and guidance on caring for your braces based on your needs.
Minimizing Discomfort: Regular adjustments and monitoring can help reduce discomfort associated with the braces.
On-Schedule Completion: Consistent maintenance ensures your treatment stays on track, enabling you to achieve the desired results within the expected timeframe.
How to Manage Braces Discomfort
Right after you get your braces, and sometimes after you have an adjustment appointment, your teeth and mouth will likely feel sore. This discomfort is temporary, but we have some tips to help you manage it.
Additionally, we recommend eating soft foods for the first few days after getting your braces or after an adjustment appointment. This will help reduce discomfort while eating. If you are experiencing severe pain or discomfort that isn't relieved by these methods, contact your Panorama City orthodontist.
We Offer Adult Braces in Panorama City CA
At Textbook Orthodontics in Panorama City, CA, we specialize in providing adult braces that cater to individual needs and lifestyle preferences. Our team offers various treatment options, including traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, and Invisalign®, to help improve smiles, boost confidence, and address dental concerns.
We use the latest orthodontic techniques to create personalized treatment plans, ensuring discreet and effective care. Our friendly and professional environment is designed to make every visit comfortable and positive, helping adults achieve the beautiful smiles they've always wanted.
Call (818) 510-3440 to schedule your consultation.