How To Take Proper Care of Your New Braces

When you or a family member has been fortunate enough to receive early orthodontic treatment in Charlotte, NC, and are correcting dental misalignments using traditional metal braces, there are certain best practices you should follow to ensure the best outcome. It’s essential to develop a healthy oral hygiene routine along with watching your diet because you can damage your metal braces and disrupt your early orthodontic treatment plan if you’re not careful. Here are some tips for taking care of your metal braces.

Choose the Proper Toothpaste, Floss, and Mouth Rinse

Your orthodontist will advise you on mouth rinse, floss, and toothpaste because some oral health products contain harsh or abrasive ingredients that can damage metallic braces. Choose dental floss that will fit between your teeth and along the wires of the brackets, and use it at least once a day. Daily flossing can prevent tooth decay and bad breath.

Regularly Brush Your Teeth to Remove Debris

When you have early orthodontic treatment, brushing your teeth with braces is different because you need to be cautious. You don’t want to break the metal wires or dislodge a bracket, but you do want to remove all of the food particles. You should use a soft-bristled toothbrush that won’t harm your braces and follow these steps while brushing:

·        Rinse your mouth with water first to remove any loose food.

·        Angle the toothbrush along your gums to remove any food in this area.

·        Use an angled motion again to brush away food from the tops of the brackets.

·        Angle the toothbrush against the bottom of the brackets and brush upward.