As you may already know, the best things in life don’t come without a little hard-won effort: And the same goes for braces. It is easy to assume that your braces are doing all the work and you can just sit by and relax. But this is not so! Here is what you need to do to make sure that you are taking care of your braces.
Eat the Right Foods and Avoid the Wrong Ones
Your braces will do you no good if you aren’t taking good care of your teeth as well. Part of taking care of your teeth includes eating foods that are conducive to good oral health. Beyond eating a balanced diet, make sure that you are eating a lot of calcium rich foods including soy products, low-fat dairy products, and dark green, leafy vegetables. Fortify your teeth with phosphorus-rich foods like eggs and beans. And don’t forget your vitamin C! Furthermore, with braces, you will want to be even more careful with certain foods that could damage your braces. Avoid super sticky or chewy foods like hard candies, as well as foods that require that you bite into them, like apples or sandwiches.
Maintain Good, Oral Hygiene Habits
Having braces doesn’t mean you should relax your good, oral hygiene habits. If anything, it means that you should embrace them even more! In order to take good care of your braces–as well as your teeth–be sure that you are brushing and flossing regularly. There are plenty of great floss options for those with braces including threaders or floss with a stiff end. Wear a mouthguard while playing sports to protect both your braces and your teeth from trauma. Be sure that you attend regular dental checkups and communicate with your dentist and/or orthodontist about any changes in your oral health.
Double–or Even Triple–Check
After brushing every morning and night, make sure that you take a moment to look at your braces in the mirror and ensure that everything looks good. Making this a daily part of your oral health routine will help you not only check for any leftover, stubborn bits of food, but it will also help you identify any issues with your braces. Check for loose brackets or wires that are out of place. Ideally, you should never feel uncomfortable wearing your braces (unless they are new and your mouth is still getting used to them); so, if something feels or looks wrong, contact your orthodontist as soon as possible. Doing so will ensure that any issues get taken care of sooner rather than later.
Taking care of your braces can sometimes feel like a chore. Just keep in mind that putting forth a couple minutes of effort every day will be worth it in the long run–worth your beautiful, healthy smile. Lastly, if you have any concerns or questions about taking care of your braces, be sure to talk to our Stellar Orthodontics team. We will be happy to help!
Are you finally ready to give braces a try? Click here to learn more about whether braces or Invisalign® is right for you.