Once you get braces, you’ll discover that keeping your teeth healthy and smiling confidently is a battle. When you have braces, it is essential to maintain good oral hygiene. Food gets trapped inside those tiny spaces in braces, causing plaque, which can raise the risk of dental issues such as bad breath, yellow teeth, sore gums, and cavities. 

Although  it’s tough to keep your teeth and gums healthy with braces,  the benefits of having straight teeth and a confident smile far exceed the additional labor. Consider making an appointment with a Calgary Orthodontist to fix your misaligned teeth and get a perfect smile and for the proper care, use these tips to maintain a beautiful and healthier-looking smile.

 

  • Brush Every Tooth Properly

 

Braces must be cleaned carefully because plaque bacteria can easily become stuck inside or around them. Brush your teeth thoroughly after every bite of food, not following the standard saying of doing it twice a day. 

Focus on  Brushing each tooth at the gum line, inside the upper and lower area of the tooth structure, and below the brace’s brackets to prevent plaque from forming between the teeth and braces.

 

  • Use Pointy Brushes

 

Patients with braces may find it difficult to clean their teeth thoroughly. Regular brushes’ bristles can’t always reach the tiny gaps between braces, causing plaque to build up around the teeth, brackets, and wires. Interdental brushes are recommended because they can easily reach all areas of your teeth and brackets.

 

  • Floss Regularly Or After Every Meal

 

Because braces prevent food from escaping your teeth after eating, doctors advise brushing after each meal. However, you may experience gum disease or irritation around the gum line, making it difficult to brush frequently. In this case, make flossing a habit after each meal to avoid food bits getting stuck in and around brackets. If you’re eating somewhere where your floss won’t reach, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.

 

  • Use Toothpicks

 

Sometimes we eat food that is stuck in between the tiny spaces between brackets that cannot be easily removed with brushing and flossing. For those food bits, you should use toothpicks with sharp and pointed tips inside the bracket’s hole. 

 

  • Watch What You Eat

 

When you have braces on your teeth, you need to put extra effort into your teeth, and not only do you have to pay attention to your teeth but you also need to care for your braces too. if you take a bite of hard foods such as taking a big bite of apple using your front teeth can damage your braces, extracting them off your teeth and affecting the whole setup into your mouth. 

 

To avoid damaging your braces, it’s best to take precautions. don’t eat such foods or you can cut out crunchy foods into small, bite-size pieces to eat.

 

  • Use Oral Care Products

 

it is more necessary than ever to keep a close watch on oral hygiene and understand the dental issues to look for when you have braces.  choose products that will help you do the best possible job of caring for your teeth and braces – things like electric toothbrushes that are designed specifically for braces, as well as fluoride toothpaste that helps prevent cavities and decay.

 

  • Visit Your Orthodontist Regularly

 

It is your responsibility to do the daily cleaning, but keep in mind that you need to see an orthodontist on a regular basis when you are in treatment. They have professional tools for removing plaque and tartar buildup from around your teeth and braces. 

 

Aside from that, your orthodontist will give you advice regarding regular care throughout the treatment and after care tips to ensure teeth health once your braces are removed. You should consider their instructions and apply them in your daily routine.