Here are 4 tips that will help prevent tooth decay while wearing dental braces.

Brackets and bands can trap bits of food. If you don’t remove it properly, then bacteria and plaque, which is sticky gunk can build up on your teeth and gums. It can cause your gums to get red and puffy. Your teeth can get weak, leaving you with white spots that stay on your teeth even after your braces are removed, and that contributes to bad breath.

Your brush bristles should be angled at approximately 45 degrees upward and downward, making small circular motions while moving the brush forward. You can also use a proxy brush, which is a nylon bristle brush intended to clean in between the teeth. Place it under the archwire in between, and then move it up and down, cleaning the edge of the bracket towards the back. Run a floss threader up between two teeth. Slide the floss back and forth several times to clean the surfaces of your upper and lower teeth. Remember to also clean below the gumline.

1. Brushing and Flossing with Braces

Practicing good oral hygiene may require you to step out of your regular dental care habits to be more conscious of your brushing habits. Plaque buildup can hide in your brackets and wires which are not easy to remove. The lack of proper dental care with braces can worsen the plaque buildup and cause tooth decay.

2. Brushing After Every Meal

Eating the wrong kinds of food can damage your teeth braces and result in tooth decay. Things like hard nuts, pretzels, jellies, chewing ice are what you should avoid eating. Another good tip is to be sure you cut up your fruits and vegetables into bite-size pieces and just put them into your mouth instead of biting into them. Also avoid sticky and chewy foods like caramel chocolates, gummy bears, and gums. These types of foods can and will damage or break your braces which can add time to your treatment, which means you could have your braces on longer than estimated.

There are also a lot of great things that are okay to eat while wearing dental braces. Softer foods like yogurt, oatmeal, grapes, bananas, fruit bars are okay to eat and are good for you too. But if you have to eat something sweet, you can eat plain chocolate bars, cakes, pies, and cookies. Just remember that a lot of these treats are high in sugar, so you need to brush really well after you eat them.

3. Eating Responsibly with Braces

Visiting your orthodontist for regular check-ups is important to make adjustments like tightening your braces. Children are especially prone to cavities and stains during an orthodontic treatment since they are more likely to forget to brush or floss their teeth properly. In such cases, your orthodontist will be able to check the inside of your mouth to prevent any damage from occurring.

4. Visiting Your Orthodontist Regularly

Eat right; take care of yourself and your braces. Your Orthodontist in Lawrenceville looks forward to seeing you at your next appointment. Call us today!