Tips to help prevent decay while wearing braces

Having braces can present some new challenges when it comes to oral hygiene. Preventing tooth decay can be a challenge simply because of the tendency for braces to trap food under the wires and between the teeth and the brackets. Here are a few tips to keep your teeth healthy while wearing your braces:

• Eat food that is safe for your braces. Foods that are high in sugar or starch can cause more plaque, which is difficult to remove while brushing. There are certain foods that should be avoided while wearing your braces. First, sticky foods like caramel can get stuck in your braces and be difficult to remove while brushing. Next, hard foods such as nuts and candy could bend wires or even break the brackets off your teeth. Foods that are firm or hard to bite into, like apples, carrots, or corn on the cob, should be cut up into smaller pieces.
• Brushing is key. You want to place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums in order to clean the whole tooth, and gently in the area between the wire and teeth. Use a softer toothbrush with fluoride paste for best results. Rinsing your toothbrush every time you brush will help as well. Rinsing is always important, but especially so when you have braces because you need to disinfect the entire mouth, including those spots under the braces where your brush can't always reach.
• Cleaning tools. Waterpik flossers, special brushes and other tools to get under the wires and clean around your braces are available. You can ask any one of our Sondhi-Biggs team members to explain this further, or show you examples.
• Keep your regularly scheduled cleanings with your Dentist. It is important to keep your routine appointment with your dentist for a thorough cleaning approximately every 6 months, or as directed. The exact frequency of these visits is up to your dentist, as some patients require more frequent cleanings.

As long as you practice good oral hygiene and follow these basic tips, you should have no problems keeping your teeth clean while you are in treatment. Feel free to visit our Sondhi-Biggs YouTube channel for instructional cleaning videos as well as much more helpful information.