3 Braces Tips from Your Local Orthodontist
As orthodontists, we understand that getting and maintaining braces can be a stressful experience. The process is long, and it takes effort and consistency to ensure optimal results. Even so, we understand the importance of braces. You deserve the smile of your dreams, and our team here at Bandeen is here to help you achieve it. For that reason, we’re taking this month’s blog post to discuss 3 tips for maintaining healthy braces and securing that dazzling smile.
1. Keep a Schedule
One of the most important aspects of maintaining healthy braces is maintaining a healthy schedule of upkeep. By developing strong habits in maintaining your braces, you’ll quickly adjust to the lion’s share of the effort that goes into cultivating your ideal smile. We recommend that those with braces strongly consider adhering to the following daily regiment:
- 2/day: Brush Teeth (1 morning, 1 evening)
- 2/day: Mouthwash (1 morning, 1 evening)
- 1/day: Floss (evenings)
If you can maintain this schedule, you’ll be making great strides in not only keeping your braces clean, but also in giving your teeth the care they deserve.
2. Be Mindful of Your Foods
The next best way to maintain your braces is by reducing the need for maintenance in the first place. As you may have already been told, you should seek to avoid foods that are excessively tough, chewy, or acidic. Foods that have these qualities are uniquely likely to damage your braces or manipulate them in ways that could even alter the structure of your teeth. For these reasons, it’s critical to avoid foods such as:
- Gum
- Caramel, taffy, and gummy bears
- Dense, chewy breads like baguettes
- Popcorn (particularly the kernels)
- Coffee, tea, and grape juice
Instead, we recommend supplementing your diet with braces-friendly food items, such as:
- Soft fruits, such as bananas
- Fluffy breads and pastries, such as pancakes and muffins
- Soups and stews
- Boneless fish and other seafood
- Soft-serve ice cream
3. Contact Your Orthodontist
Perhaps most important, never feel nervous to contact your orthodontist. If you feel something with your braces isn’t right, then it at least warrants a check from a professional. If it turns out there is an issue, then seeing your orthodontist can prevent any issues before they escalate.
Here at Bandeen, we aim to be orthodontists that you can always contact, which is why we make swift responses and clear communication a priority. To see for yourself, we encourage you to contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you!
