Having braces is such an exciting time because it means you’re that much closer to getting that Hollywood movie star sparkling smile. But what’s not so exciting about having braces is the increased risk for cavities. Eww, no one wants that. Read this article to find out how you can take care of your teeth to avoid damage and cavities while you have your braces.
Do regular checkups with your orthodontist.
The best person who can pre-emptively detect the build-up of cavities is your dentist. Go ahead and visit your favourite dentist every month, not just for brace adjustments, but also for routine checkups of your teeth and gums. This ensures that your chompers remain in perfectly clean condition while braces are attached to them.
Improve your brushing routine.
When you have braces, it’s not enough to just brush your teeth with a regular toothbrush. Upgrade your brushing with these interdental brushes that are perfectly designed to go under and in between your braces. It’ll get through all those nooks and crannies, therefore ensuring that no leftovers stick to your teeth and gums. Otherwise, your teeth will have plaque buildup, which slowly eats away at the tooth, resulting in tooth decay. Interdental brushes are definitely the best partner for your teeth while they are wearing braces.
Our tip is to remain consistent with your routine: brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing your teeth after every meal. Be sure to use your interdental brushes too, at least three times a day. Do this even if you’re just removing the last remnants of lunch’s pizza on your teeth and the individual brackets of your braces.
Continue flossing your teeth.
This complements what you do with your interdental brushes. While the brush takes care of food leftovers that stick between the braces, the floss targets those minuscule food particles leftover between your teeth and gums. Don’t skip this step, especially now that you have braces. Though it will certainly require more time, it’s time well spent because flossing helps prevent cavity buildup by targeting the thread-thin spaces between your chompers.
Watch what you eat.
Sugar is perhaps one of the leading food items that contribute rapidly to tooth decay. So, watch out for those cupcakes, cheesecakes, soda drinks, iced coffees, and other sugary foods. Other sticky foods like taffy, gummies, caramels, dried fruit, and others should also be avoided because they stick to your braces and teeth like nothing else.
If you’re not worried about having cavities now that you’re wearing braces, you should be. As we said, having braces also means having a higher chance of developing cavities because there is more breeding ground for bacteria and germs in your mouth. The best way to avoid cavities is to add an interdental brush to your toothbrush routine, watch what you eat, and regularly visit your orthodontist. Have you purchased your interdental brushes already? Find them here and make sure you stock up on these in your bathroom.
