4 Easy Ways to Maintain Your Braces

Your braces don’t require much maintenance, but it’s still important to take care of them. Your orthodontist in Bethesda and Laurel, MD, will give you tips for maintaining your braces once they’re installed. You should also perform the small tasks below to ensure that your braces will be as effective as possible and that your teeth will be healthy and straight when your braces are removed.

1. Brush your teeth twice each day.

Brush your braces twice daily with non-abrasive toothpaste. Food can easily get caught in your braces, so brushing is more important than ever when you have them. Your orthodontist will show you how to brush your teeth when your braces are installed.

2. Floss once daily.

Floss once daily. Flossing is different when you have braces, but you can use a dental floss threader to get the floss through your teeth. If possible, use waxed floss because the non-waxed floss may break or shred more easily around your braces.

3. Eat the right foods.

Some foods aren’t good for braces. Avoid crunchy, sticky, extra chewy, or hard foods that could damage your braces. Pizza crusts, crusty bread, hard candies, caramel, crunchy vegetables, and nuts are all types of food that can cause problems with your braces. Soft foods like cooked vegetables, yogurt, and oatmeal are all better for your braces.

4. Keep up with your appointments at the orthodontist.

Your orthodontist will have you return for regular check-ins and adjustments. Keep up with your appointments, as they will help identify problems with your braces before they become serious.

Have questions about maintaining braces in Bethesda and Laurel, MD? Call your orthodontist at Heller Orthodontics.