Wearing braces, whether as a child or adult, is a significant life change. Having metal and rubber bands in your mouth for a year or two takes some getting used to, but we’re here to help. Here are some tips to make braces easier to wear and ensure you are on the right track to getting a great smile.
Electric toothbrushes
Switching to an electric toothbrush is a great way to make brushing teeth and gums easier when wearing braces. The vibrating/pulsing works great at getting debris and plaque in between brackets and wires. There are many different brands and price ranges available so anyone can make the switch, with Philips Sonicare and Oral-B Pro being some of the most popular.
Floss threaders/floss picks
Make flossing way easier on yourself by using floss threaders or floss picks. They can help get in between brackets and wires and are especially good at getting in between teeth in the back of your mouth. For an even easier clean, consider trying a Waterpik flosser. While they can be a little pricey, they are better at cleaning compared to regular flossing.
Interproximal Brush
Interproximal (aka Proxy) brushes are small brushes that resemble pipe cleaners and are made to get underneath wires and brackets. They will be one of your best friends when you wear braces, as they are great for those little food particles that you just can’t seem to get with brushing or rinsing.
Rinsing
Rinsing well is a great way to help keep your mouth clean, especially with braces. Food particles love to find every tiny little place they can hide, and rinsing well with water before brushing can help to shake them loose and make brushing easier. Rinsing after brushing with mouthwash will also help to get rid of any remaining particles, and keep your breath fresh.
Travel kit (aka “care kit”)
When going to school or work with braces, it’s a good idea to bring a small kit to help clean after lunch or a snack. Bringing a small travel toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and your proxy brush is a great way to keep food out of your teeth.
Orthodontic wax
Along with a proxy brush, orthodontic wax (a.k.a. braces wax) will be your friend when you have braces. This soft wax helps with braces that are rubbing on the inside of your lip, a wire that is poking the inside of your cheek, or any sort of similar discomfort. Simply roll a small piece of wax between your fingers to soften it up and cover whatever is bothering you. Most of the time you can get some for free from your orthodontist!
Braces-friendly food
Life with braces can be much easier by staying away from certain foods. Foods that are very hard such as whole carrots or whole apples can pop off a bracket, and very chewy or sticky foods will just get stuck and make a huge mess. As a good rule of thumb, popcorn, nuts, bubblegum, taffy, caramel, and corn on the cob should all be avoided. Soft bread such as bagels and regular sandwich bread also love to get stuck in braces.
Having braces is a life-changing process, and hopefully, with these tips, it can be a little easier for you. At Johnson & Collins Orthodontics, our mission is to help you obtain the smile of your dreams. With 2 locations in Texas; Bedford and Southlake, we’re committed to helping patients of all ages have a beautiful smile.
If you want to get started, schedule a free initial consultation or give us a call at one of our locations today. Learn more about orthodontics on our blog.