When you have braces, you have to take a little extra care of your smile to keep your teeth healthy. Fortunately, Dr. Mark Allen of Allen & Allen Orthodontics in Rockwall and Garland, TX, can help you care for your smile while you undergo orthodontic treatment.
Monitoring Your Diet
Whether you have ceramic braces or traditional metal braces, you need to be mindful of the types of food you eat. Following these tips can help prevent particles of food from becoming stuck between your teeth and braces:
- Avoid foods that are sticky or chewy
- Avoid hard, crunchy foods
- Limit foods that are harder to bite such as raw carrots or apples
Monitoring your Oral Hygiene
Taking these steps while cleaning your mouth will keep your teeth and gums healthy:
- If your orthodontist has fitted your braces with elastics, you should remove them before you brush your teeth.
- Use a soft, small-headed toothbrush in combination with a fluoride toothpaste. Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. Brush your teeth and gums using a small, circular motion. Spend about ten seconds on each tooth.
- Brush your braces gently, but with enough pressure that the bristles reach between the wire and the tooth. Make sure you brush beneath all of the wires. Often, a battery-powered toothbrush makes this easier.
- Be careful to brush the inside, outside, and chewing surfaces of each tooth.
- Rinse with mouthwash to freshen your breath and eliminate any remaining bacteria.
Interested in Orthodontics? Contact Either One of our Offices in Rockwall or Garland, TX, Today
If you’re considering braces and looking for an orthodontist, you can reach Dr. Allen at his Rockwall office at (972) 675-1212 and Garland office at (972) 772-2500 to schedule a consultation.