When you have braces it is very important to make sure you keep your teeth clean. If you don’t keep them in order then you could be looking at brown spots and decay when they come off. You don’t want all the strenuous months of wearing braces to end with teeth that don’t look their best. Here are ten tips to make sure you keep your teeth clean and have a beautiful smile when all is said and done.
A Water Pick
A Water Pick is a machine that is filled with water and shoots it through a pressurized tip to help you blow away tarter and food particles quickly. You can use it to flush your gums and get in between the teeth.
Brush After Each Meal
Regularly brush after eating because food can easily hide in between the metal and wires in your mouth and you don’t want them to stay there. Take the time you need to on each individual tooth to make sure you are getting them clean.
Still go to the Dentist
Even if you are getting your teeth checked out by the orthodontist, going to the dentist is still very important. You need the deep clean they can give you to make sure you have great looking teeth when your braces come up. Don’t skip it because you think you don’t need to go.
Floss
Don’t neglect flossing, it is easier for food to get stuck and you want to make sure you are freeing it from anywhere this can happen. Flossing is important, but it’s even more important when you have braces.
Use a Proxa Brush
A Proxa brush is pointed so it will help you get into the places a regular toothbrush can’t reach. These will allow you to really get in and clean around and in between your braces.
Fluoride is your Friend
Make sure to use toothpaste and mouthwash with fluoride in it. Fluoride is great to fight plaque buildup so you want to use it for some extra help cleaning your teeth.
Avoid Certain Foods
You shouldn’t eat any sticky candies and chewy foods because they cannot only rip off your braces but they can get stuck and become impossible to remove. Things you have to chew a lot or are on the no-no list like gum and popcorn should be avoided like the plague.
Brush Your Tongue
Believe it or not a lot of food particles and bacteria can stay on your tongue. If you make sure to brush it. This way you can get rid of all the bacteria that would get on your teeth and under your braces.
Use Mouthwash
Using a mouthwash is a great way to loosen any food you might have mixed and really make sure you have a clean mouth.
Avoid Sweets
If you can avoid sweets then you should or just have them in moderation. The sugar that breaks down for cakes and cookies can sneak into your metal and linger causing decay quicker.
These tips will help make sure you have great looking teeth on that fantastic day you finally get the braces off.
