The Dos and Don’ts Of Caring For Your Braces

Having braces can drastically change your life. They can straighten your teeth, help fix a speech impediment, aid digestion and prevent bone erosion. It is appealing to many people to take the plunge and talk to their dentist about beginning the journey of getting braces. As amazing and life-changing as braces can be, there are some major steps you need to take to care of them. There are also some major things to avoid once you get your braces. Here at Smile Structure, we are with you through every step of the process. Let’s start by giving you a cheat sheet on the dos and don’ts of caring for your braces.

Food vs Braces

Most people know that certain foods need to be avoided once you get your braces. But which foods, and why?

• Sticky Foods: all the very delicious, amazing, chewy and sticky foods that we love are a big no-no when it comes to the integrity of your braces. They can be hard to remove and cause a greater risk for cavities.
• Crunchy Foods: we all love a good crunch when having a snack, but leave the popcorn and other crunchy and hard-to-bite foods in the cupboard. Hard foods can damage your teeth and aren’t good for your braces either.
• Braces Friendly Foods: soft fruits and vegetables will be your friend at this time in your life. Soft dairies like yogurt and cottage cheese are safe.

Brushing and Rinsing After Each Meal

It is important that you brush your teeth frequently when you have braces. Having good oral hygiene plays a big factor in the longevity of your healthy teeth and gums. With braces, there are extra steps that you need to take, including rinsing your teeth after each meal or snack. Some would also suggest that you should do a quick brush after consuming food, so none of it gets stuck between the wires in your braces. While this is true and brushing is important, over brushing can cause toothbrush abrasion, which could cause gum recession and possibly make your teeth more sensitive. We suggest a limit of 5-6 times a day for brushing.

Visit Your Orthodontist Often

Frequent check-ins are standard when you have braces. Keeping these appointments and allowing your orthodontist to make adjustments will get your teeth aligned properly. It is also important that you call and schedule an appointment anytime there’s an issue like a broken wire, loose bands or any pain or discomfort.

We are here to help with any of your questions or concerns. Please feel free to reach out to our staff at Smile Structure here in San Antonio, Texas.