Posted on December 5, 2023
When you have braces, it’s important to make sure that you’re taking good care of your teeth to ensure that your orthodontic treatment is as effective as possible; it’s also essential for your overall health. Unfortunately, not everyone takes proper care of their teeth. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 32% of surveyed adults haven’t flossed in the last week. To help you avoid causing harm to your braces or your dental health, here are three common mistakes you don’t want to make.
Colgate reports that it only takes about 24 hours for plaque to harden into tartar, which puts you at an increased risk of cavities. It’s important to make sure you’re brushing your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time, to help fight plaque and keep it off your teeth. Use an electric toothbrush or soft-bristled toothbrush to make sure you’re brushing your best without harming your enamel.
Brushing can only do so much. Food particles can get stuck between your teeth, which can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Regular flossing helps to remove plaque from between your teeth, so you can fight back against cavities. Unfortunately, some patients with braces may believe that they can’t floss because of their orthodontic treatment. However, you can floss your teeth the same way with braces as you can without them. If you find yourself struggling to remove food particles, consider using a water flosser.
When you have braces, there are several types of food that you need to avoid to prevent damaging them. These include gummy candy, chewing gum, popcorn, caramels, or candy with caramel in the middle, fruit chews, pretzels, corn chips, ice, nuts, hard cookies, and hard candy. The reason for this is that these types of foods can get caught in your brackets, wires, or rubber bands. This can slow your orthodontic treatment or even interrupt it altogether as you need to go back to your orthodontist to have them replaced.
Taking care of your braces is essential for proper orthodontic treatment. If you’re interested in braces, or if you have braces and need assistance with proper dental care while you’re wearing them, reach out to our experienced team at Lineberger Orthodontics today to schedule a consultation.