Living with braces can be painful as they are hard to maintain, hard to clean, and also stops you from eating the food you like. But if you learn the best way to take care for them, you can keep your oral conditions healthy and hassle-free. Even if you think your braces are fine you need to review the right way to brush and floss. Moreover braces are tricky to handle. Here are few things you need to know to live with braces.
To carry a fluoride mouthwash every time
Orthodontist usually recommends to use fluoride mouthwash at times, this is because even after good brushing it is difficult to remove fine food particles from the braces. Fluoride mouthwash function with the mechanical action of swishing, which helps to remove the food particles and also act as antiseptic liquid. All mouthwashes can be preferred, but mouthwash with fluoride have intensive property against the plaque. So it is recommended to carry a fluoride mouthwash every time.
To maintain proper oral hygiene
Good cleaning habits are crucial for orthodontic patients, caring for your teeth can be challenging when you have braces. Braces trap food very easily, which contributes to plaque formation, thus to avoid such problem it becomes important to clean up your mouth. Brushing and flossing is a great way to maintain your oral hygiene, which has to be done 2-3 times a day. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and special flossing products. This helps in maintenance and cleanliness of the oral hygiene.
To ensure that the food taken is healthy to your braces
While you are wearing braces you need to think twice about eating foods that could increase your risk of cavities. You should avoid anything which can damage your brackets or wire. Stay away from hard and sticky foods. Caramel, hard candy, gum, etc, should be avoided. They can damage your braces and get stuck in the wires and brackets.
Waterpik can be used to clean the stuck food
Using an optimal combination of pressure and pulsation, the waterpik acts as a water flosser. This removes plaque and food particles from brackets and wires, it also massages and stimulates the gums. These actions help reduce plaque and improve gum health. This process require only a minute per day. It is easier than the regular floss.
Nail biting, chewing of pen or pencils should be avoided
Biting your nails and chewing of pen or pencil should be avoided. As your nails contain hidden germs which cannot be seen with the naked eyes. Whereas pencil consists of lead which leads to cancer if stored in the body for a longer period of time. Since nail biting can be harmful to braces as it can break the brackets and wire.
Smoking should be avoided
Smoking is the second most important factor causing gum diseases. When you are wearing braces, maintaining oral hygiene becomes difficult if you are smoking. If you are committed to have a healthier smile then you need to give up smoking.
Maintenance of retainers should be done and must be cleaned once in a week
Retainers are kept after your braces are off, they are meant for holding your teeth at a position and maintain the appearance of the smile. Hence, maintenance of retainers should be done and must be cleaned once in a week. Retainers can become breeding grounds for bacteria and germs, so it is important to clean your retainers from inside and outside as often as possible.