3 Tips to Help You Take Care of Your New Braces

It’s estimated that 50% to 75% of the overall population could benefit from orthodontic treatment in one way or another. So why don’t we get braces? For one thing, lots of people feel like they can’t afford braces, despite the fact that braces can be financed, and many are covered in part by insurance. One of the reasons why people struggle with the idea of braces is that they don’t even ask an orthodontist about what the experience will be like.

With that being said, let’s look into what you need to expect from caring for your braces, and how you can ensure that they are cared for to the best of your abilities.

1. Brush Your Teeth After Every Meal

One of the key parts of caring for braces is brushing your teeth after every meal — including lunch. While you may be used to brushing your teeth in the morning and evening, your orthodontist would prefer that you brush after each time you eat, in order to ensure that food particles do not become stuck in your braces. You’ll want to opt for a toothbrush with softer bristles, as this will ensure that your braces are not harmed. Additionally, rinse with water to ensure that all food particles are removed.

2. Floss Daily

Ideally, you would also floss after every meal. But if that’s not possible, the typical orthodontist will advise that you floss at least once a day. Again, the biggest issue that can occur with braces is getting food caught in them. Flossing will get into those hard-to-reach spaces that a toothbrush can’t.

3. Use An Oral Irrigator

If you’re really worried about flossing and brushing not being enough, consider buying an oral irrigator. An oral irrigator has a water tank, and its wand will shoot that water into the spaces between your teeth. This is a great way to clean your braces.

There are so many things that you can do to clean your braces. Just make sure that you ask your orthodontist for further cleaning techniques!