Braces are an orthodontic treatment used to close gaps and straighten teeth for a better looking smile and better oral hygiene benefits. Braces will typically be placed in a child’s mouth between the ages of 10 and 14. Colored rubber bands can be chosen to help give your child something to look forward to.
Why Care is Important
Caring for your braces is extremely important because if you are not properly taking care of them, food can become trapped in between the spaces and the wires. These trapped food particles will cause your teeth to stain and also decay quicker than normal.
Cleaning Braces
When you are ready to clean your teeth, it is important to thoroughly brush them and floss with a threader or a special orthodontic floss to get between all of your teeth. You should be brushing and flossing a minimum of once a day, but the more the better.
Once you are done brushing, you will want to inspect your teeth and braces to make sure you removed all food from them. If all of the food is gone, rinse your mouth out with warm water or mouthwash.
Foods to Avoid
Certain foods should be avoided when you are wearing braces. This will reduce the risk of tooth decay and also reduce the chances of the braces coming loose. Starchy and sugary foods should mainly be avoided and this includes soda, candy, popcorn, nuts, and anything similar.
Braces are a great way to help correct teeth that need to be fixed. Maintaining your braces is important to avoid any type of dental problems such as cavities, decay, and discoloring. Not properly taking care of your braces could lead to lengthened wear time and also more problems with your teeth.