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Healthy Teeth Tips for Those With Braces
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It’s easy to keep your teeth clean when you have straight teeth and a problem-free smile. Cleaning your teeth becomes a simple task and you can swiftly avoid several common dental issues like plaque, bad breath, gum disease, tooth chipping, and more. But for those with uneven teeth, who are undergoing orthodontic treatment, it’s more complicated than that.
Orthodontic braces are one of the most popular ways of correcting misalignments and issues in the teeth. Children and adults sign up for braces in large numbers year after year due to their efficacy and affordability. However, many find it very difficult to keep their teeth clean with the addition of wires and brackets in their mouth.
So, how do you ensure that your oral health stays at an optimum level even with braces? In this article, we will discuss the important teeth care tips you can follow, and what to avoid to keep your teeth healthy.
Importance of Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene is a vital practice that not only keeps your teeth looking pearly white but also plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health. By adopting a regular oral care routine, you can keep your teeth and gums in excellent shape. And if you wear braces, it's even more crucial to pay attention to oral hygiene and follow essential dental care tips. Braces create additional spaces where food can get trapped, increasing the risk of cavities and gum problems. Brushing around the brackets and wires, as well as using interdental brushes or water flossers, can help you effectively clean your teeth while undergoing orthodontic treatment.
Neglecting oral hygiene can lead to a range of dental problems, including gum disease, tooth decay, bad breath, and potential systemic health issues. By prioritising the healthy teeth tips given below regularly, you can avoid these complications and enjoy a healthy smile for years to come.
Dental Care Tips to Practise Good Oral Hygiene With Braces
1. Brush after every meal
Food particles easily get stuck in braces, leading to plaque buildup, bad breath, gum disease and more. Brush your teeth thoroughly after each meal to remove debris and prevent cavities.
2. Use a soft-bristled electric toothbrush
Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small round head to avoid damaging the braces or causing irritation to your gums. Angle the brush to clean around the brackets and wires effectively. Using an effective electric toothbrush will make things even easier. Our makeO toothsi electro is a comfortable and smart toothbrush that reaches unreachable corners and effectively cleans bacteria and food particles from between braces to give healthy teeth and gums.
3. Floss daily
Flossing is one of the most underrated teeth care tips when it comes to braces. Use special orthodontic floss threaders or floss picks to navigate between the wires and remove plaque and food particles. Water flossers can be helpful in reaching areas that traditional floss may struggle to access in a comfortable manner. Choose our makeO toothsi smartwater flosser for effective cleaning and easy flossing.
4. Rinse with mouthwash
Adding an antimicrobial mouthwash or a fluoride mouthwash into your routine to further reduce bacteria in your mouth. Use this twice a day after brushing for a clean mouth.
5. Limit sugary and sticky foods
Sticky candies, chewing gum, and sugary snacks can adhere to your braces, making them harder to clean. Minimise these foods to reduce the risk of cavities and plaque buildup.
6. Attend regular dental check-ups
Following the about 5 ways to take care of your teeth can only do so much. You must ensure to continue visiting your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings if you want to keep your teeth clean and healthy. Only they can provide professional cleaning, spot any issues early on, and offer guidance on maintaining oral hygiene with braces.
Foods to avoid while wearing braces
As mentioned before, there are some food items that one must limit or stop eating when they get braces. These are
- Sticky candies like toffees, and chewing gum
- Hard and crunchy foods like nuts, popcorn, and ice
- Chewy foods like meat
- Hard raw vegetables like carrots, and coconuts
- Chewy bread like bagels, or thick doughy pizzas
- Sugary and carbonated drinks
Choose makeO toothsi clear aligners and steer clear of hygiene problems
Worried that there are too many guidelines to follow to maintain your oral health while receiving orthodontic correction? Then choose makeO toothsi’s clear aligners instead. Our revolutionary invisible aligners can fix almost all kinds of misalignments as braces while being comfortable to wear and entirely removable. This means that you can clean your teeth normally without the hassle of wires and brackets too!
Our aligners are made with US-FDA-approved super durable material that is easy to wear and remove. And we at makeO toothsi also offer at-home scans, home delivery of aligners and virtual check-ins with experts to ensure that you can correct your teeth and keep them healthy without ever having to step out of your home too!
FAQs
How often should I brush my teeth while wearing braces?
It is recommended to brush your teeth at least three times a day, especially after meals. This helps remove food particles and plaque that can get trapped in the braces and contribute to dental issues.
Can I still use regular dental floss with braces?
Regular dental floss can be challenging to use with braces due to the wires and brackets. It is advisable to use orthodontic floss threaders, floss picks or water flossers like makeO toothsi smartwater flosser, which make it easier to navigate around the braces and effectively clean between the teeth.
Are there any food restrictions with braces?
Yes, it is best to avoid sticky and hard foods that can damage the braces or get stuck easily. Examples include chewy candies, popcorn, nuts, and sticky caramel. Opt for softer foods and cut harder items into smaller, manageable pieces.
Should I use mouthwash while wearing braces?
Using an antimicrobial mouthwash can provide additional protection against bacteria and help maintain oral hygiene. Look for an alcohol-free mouthwash and rinse your mouth for about 30 seconds after brushing and flossing.
How important are dental check-ups during orthodontic treatment?
Dental check-ups remain essential while wearing braces. Your dentist can monitor your oral health, perform professional cleanings, and address any issues promptly. Regular check-ups help ensure that your teeth and gums stay healthy throughout the braces journey.
It’s easy to keep your teeth clean when you have straight teeth and a problem-free smile. Cleaning your teeth becomes a simple task and you can swiftly avoid several common dental issues like plaque, bad breath, gum disease, tooth chipping, and more. But for those with uneven teeth, who are undergoing orthodontic treatment, it’s more complicated than that.
Orthodontic braces are one of the most popular ways of correcting misalignments and issues in the teeth. Children and adults sign up for braces in large numbers year after year due to their efficacy and affordability. However, many find it very difficult to keep their teeth clean with the addition of wires and brackets in their mouth.
So, how do you ensure that your oral health stays at an optimum level even with braces? In this article, we will discuss the important teeth care tips you can follow, and what to avoid to keep your teeth healthy.
Importance of Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene is a vital practice that not only keeps your teeth looking pearly white but also plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health. By adopting a regular oral care routine, you can keep your teeth and gums in excellent shape. And if you wear braces, it's even more crucial to pay attention to oral hygiene and follow essential dental care tips. Braces create additional spaces where food can get trapped, increasing the risk of cavities and gum problems. Brushing around the brackets and wires, as well as using interdental brushes or water flossers, can help you effectively clean your teeth while undergoing orthodontic treatment.
Neglecting oral hygiene can lead to a range of dental problems, including gum disease, tooth decay, bad breath, and potential systemic health issues. By prioritising the healthy teeth tips given below regularly, you can avoid these complications and enjoy a healthy smile for years to come.
Dental Care Tips to Practise Good Oral Hygiene With Braces
1. Brush after every meal
Food particles easily get stuck in braces, leading to plaque buildup, bad breath, gum disease and more. Brush your teeth thoroughly after each meal to remove debris and prevent cavities.
2. Use a soft-bristled electric toothbrush
Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small round head to avoid damaging the braces or causing irritation to your gums. Angle the brush to clean around the brackets and wires effectively. Using an effective electric toothbrush will make things even easier. Our makeO toothsi electro is a comfortable and smart toothbrush that reaches unreachable corners and effectively cleans bacteria and food particles from between braces to give healthy teeth and gums.
3. Floss daily
Flossing is one of the most underrated teeth care tips when it comes to braces. Use special orthodontic floss threaders or floss picks to navigate between the wires and remove plaque and food particles. Water flossers can be helpful in reaching areas that traditional floss may struggle to access in a comfortable manner. Choose our makeO toothsi smartwater flosser for effective cleaning and easy flossing.
4. Rinse with mouthwash
Adding an antimicrobial mouthwash or a fluoride mouthwash into your routine to further reduce bacteria in your mouth. Use this twice a day after brushing for a clean mouth.
5. Limit sugary and sticky foods
Sticky candies, chewing gum, and sugary snacks can adhere to your braces, making them harder to clean. Minimise these foods to reduce the risk of cavities and plaque buildup.
6. Attend regular dental check-ups
Following the about 5 ways to take care of your teeth can only do so much. You must ensure to continue visiting your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings if you want to keep your teeth clean and healthy. Only they can provide professional cleaning, spot any issues early on, and offer guidance on maintaining oral hygiene with braces.
Foods to avoid while wearing braces
As mentioned before, there are some food items that one must limit or stop eating when they get braces. These are
- Sticky candies like toffees, and chewing gum
- Hard and crunchy foods like nuts, popcorn, and ice
- Chewy foods like meat
- Hard raw vegetables like carrots, and coconuts
- Chewy bread like bagels, or thick doughy pizzas
- Sugary and carbonated drinks
Choose makeO toothsi clear aligners and steer clear of hygiene problems
Worried that there are too many guidelines to follow to maintain your oral health while receiving orthodontic correction? Then choose makeO toothsi’s clear aligners instead. Our revolutionary invisible aligners can fix almost all kinds of misalignments as braces while being comfortable to wear and entirely removable. This means that you can clean your teeth normally without the hassle of wires and brackets too!
Our aligners are made with US-FDA-approved super durable material that is easy to wear and remove. And we at makeO toothsi also offer at-home scans, home delivery of aligners and virtual check-ins with experts to ensure that you can correct your teeth and keep them healthy without ever having to step out of your home too!
FAQs
How often should I brush my teeth while wearing braces?
It is recommended to brush your teeth at least three times a day, especially after meals. This helps remove food particles and plaque that can get trapped in the braces and contribute to dental issues.
Can I still use regular dental floss with braces?
Regular dental floss can be challenging to use with braces due to the wires and brackets. It is advisable to use orthodontic floss threaders, floss picks or water flossers like makeO toothsi smartwater flosser, which make it easier to navigate around the braces and effectively clean between the teeth.
Are there any food restrictions with braces?
Yes, it is best to avoid sticky and hard foods that can damage the braces or get stuck easily. Examples include chewy candies, popcorn, nuts, and sticky caramel. Opt for softer foods and cut harder items into smaller, manageable pieces.
Should I use mouthwash while wearing braces?
Using an antimicrobial mouthwash can provide additional protection against bacteria and help maintain oral hygiene. Look for an alcohol-free mouthwash and rinse your mouth for about 30 seconds after brushing and flossing.
How important are dental check-ups during orthodontic treatment?
Dental check-ups remain essential while wearing braces. Your dentist can monitor your oral health, perform professional cleanings, and address any issues promptly. Regular check-ups help ensure that your teeth and gums stay healthy throughout the braces journey.
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