How To Keep Your Braces Clean
Once you have had braces fitted in your mouth, you may think you can simply let them get on with straightening your teeth. But once they are fitted, the bulk of the maintenance of your braces is down to you. You need to keep them clean as they work to straighten your teeth, or else you may be left with pain or not get the results you’re looking for.
Here are some ways to ensure your braces stay clean between visits to the dentist.
Oral Hygiene
You should keep up with your oral hygiene routine, making a special effort to brush in between teeth and braces. Braces can get in the way of brushing your teeth, and bacteria can begin to thrive in the small areas your braces might restrict access. So you should pay particular attention when cleaning these small areas, or use an interdental toothbrush to get into these more awkward spaces.
You should also floss once a day, this can pick away bits of food in hard-to-reach places and the floss can thread through the wires of your braces without trouble. Mouthwash with fluoride is also a great idea, as this will protect your mouth and teeth as well as keep your braces clean. It is recommended you wait 30 minutes after brushing to use mouthwash, as you could wash away the benefits of toothpaste before they've had a chance to work properly.
Avoid Certain Foods
While you may want to eat what you want, some foods just are not friendly to braces. This includes sticky foods like peanut butter, caramel and marshmallows. This is because they become lodged in between braces and teeth, allowing bacteria to grow which will lead to you experiencing pain and eventually tooth decay.
Another type of food to avoid is hard foods such as popcorn, nuts and apples. Hard foods can dislodge the wires and cause damage to your braces. This will disrupt your treatment as you’ll probably have to schedule a visit to the orthodontist to get them repaired.
Regular Check-Ups
Make sure you book regular check-ups with your dentist so they can check your braces. Even if you think you have done a great job keeping your braces clean, they might notice an issue or an area that needs special attention. It is recommended you go to the orthodontist to have your braces checked every 4-8 weeks, so they can make adjustments and clean them.
Dental Treatments In Southampton
If you’re looking to get braces, or just need routine cleaning and maintenance, get in touch with Acorn Dental Health. We offer a range of dental treatments using state-of-the-art technology and expert staff, who have your mouth’s health as their priority.
So call today on 01489 782 166 to enquire about an appointment, or
visit our website to explore the range of dental treatments we have on offer.
