Beginner's Guide to Dealing with New Braces
The idea of having one's mouth suddenly become overrun with metal is unappealing at the least, but the joy of having a nice smile for the rest of one's life is well worth the few years that may be spent wearing braces. The responsibilities of having braces are a little more demanding than typical oral care, so it's important to understand what type of care will be involved. We are going to talk about the basic hygienic maintenance that new braces will require as well as describe a few foods that should be avoided when one has braces.
Brushing one's teeth is probably the single most important aspect of good oral hygiene, but it doesn't do any good if one isn't brushing their teeth properly. Brushing teeth which have braces fitted can feel a bit awkward at first, but that's okay! It won't take but a few tries to get used to the sensation. There isn't much of a difference when it comes to the mechanics of brushing, but it may help to remember that the three most important areas to brush are the inside, outside, and chewing area. When brushing the outside of the teeth, or the part that touches one's cheeks and shows when we smile, it is important to take a 45 degree angle towards the gum line above the braces. Try to concentrate on just a few teeth at a time when doing this. Now one should brush the section containing the braces and be sure to gently clean any debris from the wiring. Follow up with brushing at a 45 degree angle towards the bottom gums. This process should be performed on all teeth.
Now it's time to brush the inside of the teeth. This is a little easier as one doesn't have to worry so much about the braces. One can simply angle the brush at 45 degrees towards the inner gum line while concentrating on just a few teeth at a time. This process is the same for all inside portions of the teeth. And last, but not least, we have the surface of the teeth--that which actually chomps on the food. This is the easiest part to clean as one doesn't have to worry about precisely angling the toothbrush. Simply run the brush back and forth over the tops of the teeth to remove any plaque buildup and bacteria.
The next important task in taking care of new braces is to maintain a daily flossing routine. Many people neglect this part of oral care whether they wear braces or not, but flossing is extremely valuable in helping to remove plaque and food buildup in the crevices that our toothbrush cannot reach. To floss while wearing braces, one has to slide the end of the floss string up under the metal wire and pull upwards until a firm grasp on the string is possible. The other end of the string should be taken into the mouth, pulling the floss between the teeth. Gentle maneuvering up and down and backwards and forwards will loosen any debris that has gathered between the teeth, but one must be very careful not to disturb the wiring of the braces. To remove the floss from between the teeth, simply pull it gently inwards until it comes free, then start on a new tooth.
When one has braces, it is important to understand that bacteria and food particles can remain trapped in the mouth for hours, or even until the next brushing. If possible, one should endeavor to brush their teeth after every meal. This will cut back on the chances of bacterial growth and help keep one's braces in top shape. It is also imperative that one understands that braces are not indestructible. The bonding agent used to keep the braces attached to the teeth is strong enough to keep them from falling off while one eats and brushes their teeth, but it's also weak enough that the braces can easily be removed when necessary. Because of this fact, hard and sticky foods such as ice, hard candy, caramel, taffy, and gum should be avoided altogether if possible. Other foods, such as firm raw fruits and vegetables should be cut into small pieces before eating. Foods that require biting into, such as corn on the cob or firm bread, should be cut or torn into small pieces rather than being eaten directly from the source.
If you have new braces and have any questions about oral care or about the foods that you should avoid, speak to your orthodontist for tips or even a pamphlet that you can keep as a reminder.