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5 Tips for Keeping Your Braces Clean

Tips to Keep Your Braces Clean from Gole Dental in Hastings, MI

Now that you have braces, it’s important to keep them clean

Maintaining a cleaning regime will protect your teeth from issues like stained enamel or tooth decay. Mosts dentists and orthodontists recommend brushing after every meal to keep food from building up and plaque from forming.

In addition to consistent, thorough brushing, we recommend the following tips to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible when wearing braces.

Follow Our Top Five Tips for Keeping Your Braces and Teeth Clean

1. Brush Early, Brush Often

As mentioned above, brushing after every meal and snack is perhaps the best way to keep your braces clean. If your schedule doesn’t allow or you don’t have a toothbrush on-hand, rinse your mouth out with water immediately after eating or drinking. While this isn’t as good as brushing, it still removes some food particles or staining elements from your braces and teeth.

2. How to Brush with Braces

Soft-bristled toothbrushes or power toothbrushes are good choices for brushing your teeth with braces. It’s important to clean all around the braces, wires, brackets, teeth and gums to en-sure you remove all food particles after eating. Aim for brushing at least four times per day, or after every snack and meal. And, rinse with a fluoride containing mouth rinse.

3. Don’t Forget to Floss

Flossing with braces can be a little tricky, but it’s very important for the overall health of your teeth and gums. Regular flossing removes food and plaque between teeth and prevents tooth and gum decay. Your dentist or orthodontist may recommend special floss or a threader to help you floss with your braces.

4. Always Be Prepared

Get a small bag or purse and pack it with all of your teeth cleaning essentials for times when you’re on the go. A soft-bristled toothbrush, floss, toothpaste, mouthwash and small mirror can make it convenient to keep up with your oral health routine.

5. Watch What You Eat

Having braces doesn’t mean you need to completely change your diet, however some foods can damage tooth enamel or increase the likelihood of cavity development. Acidic food and drinks like oranges, soft drinks and vinegar-based dressings are a few foods that can damage enamel. Sugary foods and drinks should be limited to prevent tooth decay.

Hard, sticky foods like candy, gum, chips, corn, and hard breads should be avoided as they are difficult to dislodge from braces. Your dentist can help you determine which foods and drinks are best to avoid while wearing braces to prevent stains on your teeth when your braces come off.

We hope these tips help you keep your braces clean and your smile healthy!

Don’t forget to visit your dentist regularly — especially when you have braces. Professional cleanings and exams are extra important during your orthodontic treatment. Have questions about braces or want to schedule and appointment? Give Gole Dental a call today!