Dental Tips: How to Maintain Dental Braces

So you just got braces? They seem pretty uncomfortable, but you will eventually get used to them and once you see the finished product, you will be happy about your new transformed smile.

However, in order for the treatment to be effective, you need to practice proper maintenance. Listed below are some tips to maintain oral health while undergoing orthodontic treatment.

• Brushing - Brush as you normally would, small circular motion. Clean the area between the gums and braces by angling the brush down (up for the lower jaw). Clean the rest of the outside of the teeth by angling the brush up (down for lower jaw). Carefully brush the chewing surface of the upper and lower jaw. Finish off by brushing the inside of the teeth.
• Flossing - Flossing at least once a day is required. Using a floss threader, the floss needs to be pilled under the archwire. Pull the floss up between the teeth and gently move it up and down the side of both teeth.
• Rinsing - After brushing and flossing, it is recommended that you rinse your mouth carefully with water or antiseptic rinse. Antiseptic rinse can help by enabling natural healing for minor gum inflammations, irritations from orthodontic appliances, minor wounds, and canker sores.
• Interdental - An interdental toothbrush, also known as proxabrush, is another tool that can aid in keeping your teeth, braces, and gums clean. Use this device carefully and slowly to clean under orthodontic wires and around braces.
• Eating right - Once you get braces, you should be more cautious of what you eat. The first few days, and each time they’re tightened, you might experience some minor pain; it is recommended sticking to a soft (not chewy!) food diet until the discomfort subsides. While in braces, you can eat just about anything although there are a few exceptions. Hard, sticky, chewy, sugary foods. Some of braces biggest enemies: Hard bread, beef jerky, gum/gummy anything, caramels/chewy candies, corn on the cob, nuts, popcorn, ribs, ice cubes, pens/pencils, fingernails.

References:

• BraceYourself; www.braceyourself.org/PatientInfo/OralHygieneInstructions.aspx (accessed 10/18/2012).