At any given time, there are about 4 million people in the United States who either need braces or already wear them. If you’re a new member of this large group and you want to know how best to navigate your teeth-straightening journey, you’re in the right place.
While our team at Willow Glen Dental Specialists certainly has you covered on the braces end, and we make sure you have what you need to meet your goals, there’s much you can do at home. To that end, we’ve pulled together some top tips for taking care of your braces.
Once we place the metal brackets and wires, you might wonder how on earth you’re going to get in there to clean your teeth. Wearing braces can certainly make cleaning your teeth more challenging, but by no means impossible.
We want you to keep brushing your teeth at least twice a day, and it’s still a good idea to use a soft bristle brush so you don’t damage the hardware. You can brush right over the braces, using only slight pressure. In fact, even when the braces come off, you should never scrub your teeth, as that can break down your enamel.
To get around the tricky braces hardware, you might get a toothbrush that’s designed for braces and hard-to-reach places. You can find these special toothbrushes anywhere that teeth-cleaning supplies are sold.
When it comes to flossing, we still want you to do that daily. Since there are wires running across your teeth that prevent you from getting the floss clear to your gums, it’s a good idea to outfit yourself with a floss threader.
A good practice when you have braces is to rinse your mouth regularly with water. After you have a meal or snack, for example, get some water in your mouth and swish it around to dislodge food from your braces.
Your braces are an investment, and we would hate to see you wreck them. A good way to safeguard your braces is to stay away from certain foods, such as:
Think of it as two ends of the spectrum — you want to steer clear of foods that are soft, chewy, and sticky, such as gum, taffy, and caramel, as well as foods that are hard and brittle, such as ice and popcorn kernels.
With a little vigilance on your end and regular oversight on ours, we can make sure you get through your braces journey smoothly. And the effort will be well worth it when you can flash a smile that’s full of straight, white teeth.
If you have more questions about how to care for your braces, we’re happy to help. Simply contact our office in San Jose, California, at 408-478-9081 or request an appointment using our online form.
