Post-Braces Care Instructions
To ensure the success of your braces treatment, it is important to follow these care instructions:
Avoid Certain Foods
- Your orthodontist will recommend avoiding foods that can stick to the braces or damage them, such as gum, toffee, popcorn, nuts, crunchy snacks, hard vegetables, and hard biscuits.
Maintain Oral and Gum Health
- Brush your teeth twice daily using a traditional toothbrush and dental floss.
- Ensure that you can see the edges of all braces components clearly to avoid food residue buildup.
- Be careful not to press too hard on the braces while brushing, as the bristles might wear out faster due to friction with the metal parts.
How to Clean Your Teeth with Braces
It is crucial to maintain oral hygiene with braces to prevent bacterial growth that can cause bad breath. Follow these steps to keep your teeth clean:
- Remove Movable Parts like Elastics:
- If your braces have removable parts, remove them first.
- Clean the Wires and Brackets:
- Clean all the wires and brackets carefully from top to bottom, ensuring you brush all tooth surfaces.
- Position Your Toothbrush at a 45-Degree Angle with the Gums:
- For the upper jaw, move the brush from top to bottom; for the lower jaw, move from bottom to top to avoid gum recession.
- Duration of Brushing:
- Proper tooth brushing should take about two minutes, spending 30 seconds on each quadrant of the mouth. Repeat this twice daily.