Got Braces? Here Are Some Oral Hygiene Tips

Dr. Firoz Lalani

Medically Reviewed By Dr. Firoz Lalani

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Welcome to A Dental Care, where we provide comprehensive dental care at our four practices serving Houston, Texas, and the surrounding areas. We provide everything from wisdom teeth removal to Invisalign® and braces for children and adults.

Oral hygiene is extremely important when you have braces, so please remember to clean your smile each day with the proper oral hygiene techniques. To help you do so, our A Dental Care team has some tips for you, and those tips are to make sure you do the following things on a regular basis:

BRACES TIPS

Brush Your Teeth Regularly

Brush your teeth throughout the day, especially after each meal and snack. Doing so will not only help you keep clean and pristine teeth, but it will also help you avoid having a food-filled smile, which is extremely embarrassing. As you brush, please use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.

flossing

Floss at Least Once a Day

Floss your smile at least once a day so you can remove the food particles and plaque that reside between your teeth. As you floss, thread one end through the space between the wire and the front surfaces of the teeth. Then, gently push the floss between the teeth and scrape each side. When finished, use a clean section of floss and move to the next crevice.

Rinse your Mouth Twice a Day:

Rinse your mouth daily with a beneficial mouthwash, like antibacterial or fluoride mouthwash. This will help you complete the cleaning job, strengthen your teeth, and improve your breath.

Be Careful of the Foods When Have Braces

Food restrictions are one of the most common topics that come when you get braces for the first time. Often, you’ve encountered another person who’s experienced braces and told you all about guidelines they were given. Yes, you will need to adjust with eating habits while you have braces, but it’s not difficult to follow these guidelines. And, the good news is that it’s only temporary!

1. Food That Is Safe to Eat With Braces

Let’s start with foods you can eat while they have braces. These foods include:

  • Cooked vegetables
  • Soft bread
  • Yogurt and milk
  • Soft fruits
  • Lean meats
  • Tofu
  • Soft nut butter, such as peanut butter

2. Food to Avoid With Braces

While you have braces, it’s best you need to limit or even avoid certain foods, including:

  • Popcorn
  • Hard or extremely crusty bread
  • Hard candy
  • Crunchy chips
  • Hard fruits
  • Whole nuts or seeds
  • Meat from a bone

3. Mealtime Tips

Besides paying attention to the food you eat, it’s also important to pay attention to how you’re eating. It’s easier to eat manageable bites with a fork or spoon, rather than try to bite directly into something. Yes, it’s a pain to eat pizza with a fork or cut an apple into slices before eating it, but doing this reduces the risk of breaking braces or causing pain.

If your mouth is sore from a recent adjustment, have some cold foods, such as popsicles, frozen yogurt, or cold water. The cold temperatures of these foods will often help to ease the discomfort in the mouth.

braces

Get Braces Care Tips From Your Orthodontist

An orthodontist does more than just put braces on and tighten them periodically. An orthodontist is also there to teach you and your child how to care for braces and the mouths they’re in. When braces are first put on, an orthodontist and their staff will sit down with you and your child to talk about brushing and flossing techniques. They’ll demonstrate the best way to brush and floss each day, as well as offer recommendations for preventing problems. The orthodontist will also talk about what to do if braces break or your child experiences pain while they’re on.

When you talk with your orthodontist and their staff, they’ll also offer tips about what you can and can’t eat — and how certain foods and drinks can impact your oral health. You may be frustrated by being told to be careful about eating certain foods, but being cautious with foods can protect your mouth and prevent them from encountering problems while their braces are in place. The fewer problems you encounter along the way, the quicker the braces can do their work!

Taking Care of Teeth With Braces

When you follow these tips for braces care, they’ll find that it’s easier to develop and stick to a care routine for their braces. At Adental Care, our goal is to help you learn how to take care of braces and keep teeth in good shape while the braces do their work.

Whether your child has been a patient at ADental Care for years or you’re new to the practice, you’ll find that our staff and specialists are here because they love to give you a healthy smile.

Call today if you would like to know more about oral hygiene with braces in Houston, Texas. The more you know, the better off your smile will be! Your orthodontist, Dr. Firoz Lalani, and our friendly and caring orthodontic team are more than happy to give you the tips and information you need to succeed.

Contact us to schedule your next appointment.

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