MAINTENANCE
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment is crucial to prevent issues such as staining, decay, and bacteria buildup. Brackets and wires can easily trap food particles, requiring extra care to keep your teeth and braces clean. Brushing thoroughly after every meal is essential to remove trapped particles and prevent staining or bacteria growth. Using a soft toothbrush, you should brush downward from the top and upward from the bottom on each tooth with a bracket to ensure thorough cleaning around all surfaces.
Flossing is equally important, and a floss threader or threadable floss can help clean between teeth and below the archwire. To use a floss threader, guide the floss through the threader as you would with a sewing needle, insert it below the archwire, and gently floss between the teeth without applying force. Repeat this process between all teeth for optimal hygiene. Additionally, a proxabrush, often called a “Christmas tree brush,” is ideal for cleaning between brackets. Place the brush below the archwire and gently brush up and down, repeating the process from both sides of each bracket. If you have any questions about maintaining your braces, feel free to contact our office for support and guidance.
Foods to Avoid
To protect your braces and maintain healthy teeth during orthodontic treatment, it is important to avoid hard, sticky, and sugary foods. These can damage braces or increase the risk of cavities.
Hard Foods to Avoid:
- Hard candy
- Nuts
- Chips
- Popcorn
- Ice
- Corn on the cob
- Apples
- Carrots
- Crusty bread
Sticky Foods to Avoid:
- Gum
- Taffy
- Caramel
- Tootsie Rolls®
- Sugar Daddies®
- Starburst®
- Skittles®
- Licorice
Caring for braces is crucial for effective treatment and oral health, requiring diligent brushing, flossing, and avoiding hard or sticky foods. To enhance your orthodontic care, consider scheduling an appointment with Dr. Sona Bekmezian by calling the office or using their online booking system.
