How to Take Care of Braces

Share this page...

Limiting How Much Sugar You Eat with Braces

The Right Way to Brush and Floss with Braces

How to Keep Retainers Clean and Safe

Which Comes First, Flossing or Brushing?

Make the most of your orthodontic treatment.

Taking care of your braces or Invisalign will require a little adjustment in your daily living, but it will be well worth it in the end.

Braces Maintenance

There are specialized tools that we can recommend to make brushing and flossing with braces easier and more effective. Give us a call or ask us at your next appointment.

Brushing every time you eat is obviously the best way to keep your teeth and braces clean, but we know this isn’t always possible. Brush as often as you can, and rinse your mouth with water if brushing isn’t an option.

Step 1 : Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gum.

Step 2 : Brush gently in a circular motion.

Step 3:  Brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of each tooth.

Step 4:  Use the tip of your brush for the inner surface of your front teeth.

Flossing each day removes additional food particles that brushing can’t reach.

Step 1:  Using a piece of floss about 18 inches long, carefully thread the end between braces and wire. You may find a floss threader helpful.

Step 2:  Carefully floss around the braces.

Step 3:  Carefully floss around the gum areas.

Step 4:  Carefully floss around each tooth.

SOURCE: The Georgia School of Orthodontics

Caring for Invisalign

Invisalign’s removable aligner trays make keeping your teeth clean easier than with braces, but they add a couple extra steps when it comes to taking care of them.

Because you take Invisalign out to eat and drink, it’s extremely important to have a clean, safe place to store your aligners when they aren’t in your mouth, such as the case we provide. Setting them on a lunch tray or wrapping them in a napkin is unsanitary and could lead to them getting thrown away

When you brush and floss your teeth, you will need to clean your aligners too.

Rinse the trays every time you remove them to keep bacteria and saliva from drying on them.
Brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush, but avoid using toothpaste, which can make them dull and more noticeable in your mouth. Use a small amount of Dawn dish soap instead.
You can also soak your aligners in Invisalign crystals and brush off any remaining particles with a clean toothbrush.

Foods to Avoid with Braces

Not being able to eat certain foods can be disappointing, but keeping the end result in mind - a beautiful, healthy smile - can make it easier to say no. Here is a list of the most common foods that can damage or get stuck in your braces:

Chewy breads, bagels, jerky
Caramels, taffy, gum, gummy candies, and other sticky foods
Hard candy and ice (unless you promise not to bite or chew it)
Raw veggies
Nuts and popcorn
Anything you bite into - apples, corn on the cob, bone-in chicken or ribs

Are you ready to learn more about Braces and Invisalign^®?

Contact Smith Orthodontics, the trusted orthodontist in Ripley WV and Parkersburg WV, to learn more about how we can give you the smile you’ve always wanted.
Call our office at (304) 865-0000 or click the button below.