Dental Care Tips for People with Braces

Dental care is an important aspect of overall health, and each individual has different needs and requirements based on their specific circumstances and dental history. People with braces, including children and adults, need to take extra care to protect their teeth from decay, staining and gum disease. In this blog, we explain a few essential dental care tips for those with braces, designed to keep both teeth and braces in tip-top condition.

Brushing

Brushing twice a day may be the standard recommendation in oral care, however people with braces are encouraged to brush more frequently to prevent food from becoming trapped between the teeth and braces.  If you wear braces, you should aim to brush your teeth after every time you eat, which may require having an “on the go” dental kit with you at all times. Use a soft bristled toothbrush to gently loosen any stuck food from around your gums, and clean each individual bracket by brushing from both upward and downward angles. If you cannot brush your teeth after each meal, you should try to rinse your mouth whenever possible.

Flossing

If you have braces, you should aim to floss at least once a day to dislodge any food that may have been missed during brushing. Be sure to floss not only between the braces but also under the wires. To easily do this, you can use a floss threader or orthodontic flosser, which can be found in most chemists.

Take care with what you eat

Having braces means you’ll have to be more careful about what you eat, as some foods can cause dental problems and even damage your braces. Try to avoid sugary and starchy foods whenever possible, as such foods can cause plaque buildup around the brackets of your braces, which can lead to staining, cavities and even gum disease. Take special care to avoid sticky and chewy foods like dried fruits, caramel and toffee, as these can easily get stuck between braces. You should also avoid hard foods like nuts, ice, popcorn, especially crunchy vegetables and jerky, as these foods can actually damage your braces through breaking the wires and loosening brackets. If you want to eat these foods, you should try to cut them into smaller, more manageable pieces.

Although taking care of your teeth requires a bit more time and effort when you have braces, the end result will really pay off. If you’re thinking about getting braces, need your braces readjusted, or simply want some extra oral care advice, contact Eden Rise family dental clinic on (03) 9702 6111.