If you’re an orthodontic patient, you may be annoyed with the food that gets caught in your wires and brackets. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to remove small food particles and keep your braces clean. Here at Gladwell Orthodontics, we recommend the following tips:
Drink Water
By drinking water with your meals, you’ll be able to wash away the food that gets stuck in your wires and brackets. You can also gargle water after eating in order to remove debris in a more efficient manner.
Stay Away From Hard Foods
Foods like carrots, celery, apples, nuts, and bagels should be avoided with braces. These foods require a great deal of chewing and biting and can easily get caught in your wires and brackets. If you do wish to eat these foods, you can puree or moisten them.
Refrain From Chewing Gum
Gum can get stuck in your braces and won’t dissolve by water. For this reason, It’s important to refrain from gum chewing when undergoing orthodontic treatment.
Avoid Candy
Most candy is packed with sugar making it a no-no for braces patients. Since candy can stick to the metal components in your mouth and stay there for a long period of time if you fail to brush properly, it’s a good idea to avoid it whenever possible.
Try an Interdental Brush
An interdental brush can make cleaning between your teeth a breeze. If you use it every day in addition to a regular toothbrush, you’ll have no problem squeezing through the areas between your teeth and surrounding your braces to remove stuck food particles.
Spend At Least 10 Seconds Brushing Each Tooth
You should do your best to spend at least 10 seconds brushing each tooth. By taking the time to gently brush each tooth, you’ll increase your chances of getting rid of any food and bacteria that’s caught in your brackets.
Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Jason Gladwell at Gladwell Orthodontics For More Information
If you’d like more tips on how to keep your braces clean and teeth healthy, schedule an appointment with Dr. Jason Gladwell at Gladwell Orthodontics by calling (919) 453-6325. He will be happy to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have regarding traditional metal braces.
