Dental care when you have braces

Patients invest in braces to improve their smile.

You should love your smile.

It’s unique. It’s part of your personality. It’s one of the first things people will notice about you.

Feeling self-conscious about your smile can really undermine your confidence and detract from the special moments in your life.

That’s why it’s important for teeth not to be just straight, but clean and healthy.

So how do you take good care of your teeth while wearing braces, to avoid the build-up of plaque and the risk of cavities?

Well, you’ve heard the phrase ‘prevention is better than cure’ and when it comes to dental care when you have braces, this certainly rings true.

Here are our top six tips for happier, healthier smiles.

1. Avoid certain foods

Try and avoid foods that are chewy, sticky, crunchy or hard. You should also avoid sugary foods and drinks. Remember these types of food can impact your dental care regime even when you don’t have braces, but when you do there’s increased risk of these foods and drinks causing staining and decay around your bracket

2. Perfect your brush technique

Soft bristle brushes are best for all dental care regimes, but when you have braces it makes it easier to access those hard to reach places. Start off by brushing at the gum line of your teeth. Then hold your toothbrush at a downward angle on the top of your brackets, followed by an upward angle to clean the bottom of your brackets.

3. Brush more often

When you wear braces, food and plaque can get trapped in the brackets and cause problems, so we recommend brushing after every meal for optimal dental care.

4. Floss like a pro

Flossing while wearing braces can be a little difficult, but it’s also more important than ever. If you’re struggling with standard flossing tap, try using floss threaders for braces or inter-dental brushes. Don’t neglect this component of your dental care regime just because it’s become a little more tricky – remember what you’re trying to achieve.