If you
wear braces, it is much more difficult to
keep your teeth plaque-free and avoid cavities. It is
recommended that you use
a soft toothbrush and a toothpaste with fluoride, and be sure to brush
after every meal. Brush every tooth surface and pay extra
attention to the area where the brackets and bands meet the tooth, and
where the tooth meets the gumline. Brush
in small circular motions, two to three teeth at a time.
You must also floss your teeth;
toothbrush bristles do not remove the plaque between your teeth.
Thread a length of
floss into a floss threader and slide up under your archwire. Then pull
the floss between your teeth. Pull the floss into a C shape, and move around your
mouth flossing both sides of each tooth.
After
you have finished, check carefully to
see if any areas were missed; if so repeat the process, and then rinse thoroughly with
plenty of
water.
Cutting down on sweets will help
prevent cavities; al so avoid sticky, sugary foods. Beware of hard foods such
as nuts and ice; they can damage your braces. Eating softer foods and
cutting harder foods into smaller bites is your best bet.
Watching your eating habits and paying
careful attention to your daily home care will keep your mouth healthy and
your teeth looking good.
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