Tips from Your Three Rivers Orthodontist for Properly Caring for Your Teeth and Braces

Once you have gone through all of the appointments and orthodontic treatments and you have your braces in, the work has just started. You need to stay diligent in the proper care of your teeth and braces in order to get the desired results. Failure to do so could result in issues that could require extra appointments for adjustments. Bandeen Orthodontics in Three Rivers is dedicated to educating all of our patients to ensure they have a complete understanding of how they should maintain their braces for terrific results. Read further for tips on things you should or should not do while wearing your braces.

Take Proper Care of Your Teeth

Once you have been fitted for braces, it is crucial to maintain good oral hygiene. This means you should be brushing your teeth at least three times per day, using a small rotating motion with the toothbrush. You should floss in between your teeth at least once per day. You should keep up to date with your dental check-ups to keep your teeth and gums healthy. You should also use some sort of fluoride rinse or paste before bedtime. If you follow these simple directions, you should have great success with your braces, resulting in a great smile that you will be proud to show off.

Things That You Should Not Do While Wearing Braces

Another factor in properly caring for your braces is avoiding foods or activities that can cause problems for your braces. You should avoid eating any foods that could potentially knock the brackets off your braces. This also includes nervous chewing on pens, pencils, fingernails, etc. These include any foods that are hard, sticky, or crunchy. You should also avoid chewing gum, as it can get caught in your braces and create a mess that could be very difficult to clean. You should limit the amount of pop, sport drinks, and natural juices, due to the acids. You should not scrub your teeth too hard while brushing, as this can also cause problems with your braces, and you should not pick at the brackets with your fingers. If you can avoid these activities while wearing your braces, the chances of any issues will decrease significantly.

If you are concerned about the alignment of your teeth, call your Three Rivers orthodontist at Bandeen Orthodontics to schedule your initial appointment. We look forward to seeing you!