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How To Keep Your Teeth In Good Health

and Prevent Tooth Decay While Wearing Braces

Why Brace Hygiene Is So Important When You Wear Braces?

You’ve made an investment on spending money on getting braces, so why not keep your teeth in good health while undergoing orthodontic treatment?

Dr. Gass and our team at Gass Orthodontics will tell you it is just as important to develop a regular hygiene routine while you’re wearing braces as you did before proceeding with treatment.

To address some oral hygiene challenges while wearing braces, we prepared this guide for you.

Preventing Decay

Preventing tooth decay can be a big challenge simply because of the tendency for braces to trap food under the wires and between the teeth and the brackets.

Without daily oral hygiene practices, you may become prone to cavities and tooth decay during your time in braces.

Naturally, you know that brushing your teeth each morning and night, as well as after you eat, will help keep your mouth healthy and clean during the months you wear braces. But there are a couple of extra steps you can take to make sure you keep your tooth and braces in very good health.

Here are a few tips to keep your teeth healthy while wearing your braces:

1. Eat Braces-Safe Foods

Keeping your teeth from decay starts with a proper diet. Foods that are high in sugar or starch can cause more plaque which is difficult to remove during your brushing. There are certain foods that should be avoided while wearing your braces. First, sticky foods like caramel or gum can get stuck in your braces and be difficult to remove during brushing. Next, hard foods such as nuts and candy could bend wires or even break a bracket. Foods that are firm or hard to bite into like apples, carrots, or corn on the cob should be avoided. As much as we like to snack on them, those crunchy treats can harm your braces. Things like chips, ice, popcorn can also bend or break your braces.

On the other hand, bananas, mangoes, milk, water, poultry, and pasta all tend to be low in enamel-busting acids.

2. Proper Brushing

You want to place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums in order to clean the whole tooth, and brush gently in the area between the wiring and the teeth. Use a softer toothbrush with fluoride paste for best results. Rinsing every day will help, too.

Rinsing is important regardless, but especially important when you have braces as you need to disinfect the entire mouth, including those spots under the braces where your brush can’t always reach.

3. Ask About Special Cleaning Tools

There are also special brushes, or other tools, to get under and clean your braces. You can also find many of these items at your local pharmacy. ( Offer some alternatives)

Example:

An excellent option is to make habit to use an interdental brush. This small brush is used to clean between the teeth while it can also be used to clean underneath and around your wires and braces. This should be a gentil process, without applying much pressure.

This brush reaches areas which your a regular toothbrush can’t reach, making sure you remove large pieces of debris before you brush with your normal toothbrush.

Before your regular brush, use a mirror to check and make sure you haven’t missed anything.

4. Regular Teeth Cleaning

It’s important to keep your routine appointments with your dentist and dental hygienist for a thorough cleaning twice a year or as directed. The exact frequency of these visits will be up to your dentist as some types of braces are more demanding of a regular cleaning than others.

As long as you practice good oral hygiene and follow these basic tips, you should have no problem keeping your teeth from decaying while you wear braces.

And of course, Flossing!

Why is flossing so important?

Flossing is essential to the health of your teeth and gums when you’re wearing braces. Because braces may hold food, sugars and liquids upon eating, it is very important to keep on top of your brushing and flossing, as well as visiting our office for regular adjustments.

While we know it’s tough enough to get kids to floss daily without braces, that battle becomes even tougher when braces are involved. Remember that by not flossing, you will become more prone to cavities and gum disease during your treatment.

How To Floss With Braces

Flossing with braces can be tricky, but it’s not impossible. Dr. Gass, your general dentist, or your dental hygienist can help you become more comfortable and adept at flossing your teeth during the months you wear braces.

Braces Flossing Tips

• Use Tools Provided by Our Office. A floss threader is a small, plastic needle that will help you floss between the wires and your teeth. Thread a 12-to-18-inch piece of floss onto the needle, and use the needle to get the floss easily behind the wires.
• Flossing Under the Wires. Once the floss is behind the wires, use your hands to manipulate the floss. Move it up and down along the wires to remove food particles.
• Flossing Between Your Teeth. Floss between your teeth as you normally would without braces. Move the floss up and down between your teeth, using a clean section of floss for each tooth.
• After You Finish Flossing. Your orthodontist may have suggested that you use a water pick or proxy brush after you finish brushing. Either of these tools will help remove any loosened food particles to ensure that your teeth and braces are clean.
• Gently Massage Your Gums When flossing, remember to gently massage your gums in between the teeth. You will find that flossing with braces takes extra time, as you will have to weave the floss through each bracket. When flossing, there should be no signs of blood. If you see blood, you are not flossing enough or properly.
• Using an electric toothbrush is also a good idea to massage your gums before or after flossing as electric toothbrushes can help remove any harmful bacteria that are lingering in your mouth. And don’t forget to add a mouthwash to your routine to break up any bacteria that has formed. A good mouthwash will help keep your teeth and gums in good shape during your treatment.

Continue Good Oral Hygiene Habits After Removing Braces

Good oral hygiene habits you use while wearing braces will help you achieve the beautiful smile you and the Gass Orthodontics team have been working toward.

Once your braces are off, it may be tempting to slack off on the brushing and flossing. Don’t let yourself fall into any habits that will have a negative impact on your oral health or the attractive smile you waited for throughout the months you wore braces.

See your general dentist for regular cleanings, and continue to brush and floss your teeth each day.

If you have any questions about flossing or your orthodontic treatment at Gass Orthodontics please don’t hesitate to give us a call or during your next adjustment appointment!

Should I use a water pick during my treatment?

We know that  for some patient wearing braces, it can be difficult to weave through those wires and brackets as you brush and floss during your treatment.

Some of our patients use a water pick to flush out food and other particles and bacteria stuck between their teeth as the water can reach behind the metal wires and hit spots where your floss simply cannot reach. People suffering from gum disease also find water picks quite effective because of their ability to flush out bacteria from inside the deep pockets.

Not a substitute for Flossing

Water picks are friendly to braces and are also gentle on the gums. They are less likely to cause bleeding for people with sensitive teeth or gums. But as many benefits as they may have, Dr. Gass and our team want you to know that water picks should never be used as a substitute for flossing.

Though they are great tools for helping improve oral health while you are in treatment, they are just not a good enough tool on their own to keep your mouth and gums gingivitis- and decay-free.

Water picks are also incapable of removing plaque from teeth as effectively as floss can. While water picks rinse the sticky bacteria off your teeth, flossing is actually more effective as it actually scrapes the bacteria off of your pearly whites.

Foods That are Safe for Braces

The reason why patients opt to use orthodontic braces is primarily to straighten the teeth, which not only creates a more pleasing appearance, but also helps prevent tooth decay and other oral health problems.

Having said that, it is important to remember that braces are only effective when they are properly cared for.  Food selection is an integral part of the process.

Certain foods, for example, are better suited for individuals who have braces, as opposed to hard and sticky foods that can cause damage. So what types of foods should you or your kids eat to protect dental appliances?

The best foods to eat with braces are those that are not high in sugar and do not require excessive chewing.

Breakfast

For breakfast, try eggs, yogurt, bacon, wheat toast, or oatmeal.

Lunch may steer toward a banana rather than an apple, a salad without nuts, and a glass of water. If you are looking for some after-school snacks for your kids, consider baked tortilla chips with salsa and guacamole, or try string cheese with fruit.

Lunch Recipe

Even with braces, it’s easy to enjoy a healthy, nutritious lunch.

For example, make a panini on whole wheat bread with slices of turkey deli meat, a piece of Swiss cheese, and tomato slices. Spread 1 tbsp. of mustard or mayonnaise on the bread before toasting the sandwich in a panini grill. Serve the panini with ½ c. low-fat cottage cheese and a sliced pear or apple for a balanced meal. Then grab a pudding cup or some JELLO for dessert.

Wash it all down with water containing a lemon wedge or all-natural fruit juice. Make sure to brush your teeth or rinse with mouthwash after lunch to wash away sugars and food residue that can get trapped in braces and cause decay.

Dinner

A healthy dinner can include most types of vegetables, so long as they are cooked to an appropriate softness. Pair that with a lean protein, such as fish or chicken, and follow up with dessert. Just be sure to brush afterward!

Post-Tightening Foods

As braces begin to adjust the alignment of the teeth, our office will periodically tighten them to continue the alignment process. After tightening occurs, the teeth may be sore and sensitive to certain foods. During this time, it is best to eat soft foods. Examples include:

• pudding

• mashed potatoes

• soup

• ice cream

• cottage cheese

• peas

• pancakes

• pasta

 

Foods to Avoid When Wearing Braces

There are a few food categories to avoid when you have braces.

Sticky Foods

No sticky candies, watch out for popcorn, and steer clear of chips. They  stick to the metal in your braces, and can potentially break wires or individual braces. For example: bubblegum, candy bars, caramel, licorice, fruit roll-ups, and Starbursts should be avoided.

Many of these foods also contain high levels of sugar, which can cause plaque build-up if not brushed away properly.

Hard Foods

Also, be wary of hard foods that can harm your orthodontic appliances. Avoid eating hard taco shells, chips, Rice Crispy treats, hard candy, beef jerky, and popcorn. Some healthy foods, such as carrots, apples, corn on the cob, and nuts, are hard on braces. To eat these foods safely, cut them into smaller pieces before eating.

And…Bad Habits!

Remember that certain habits may be harmful to your braces. For example, crunching on ice cubes may be a reflexive response when you’re enjoying a cold beverage, but this can significantly harm your braces and extend treatment time.

To stay on the safe side, Dr. Gass and our team at Gass Orthodontics recommend you drink beverages without ice or add crushed ice whenever possible.

Anyone who wears braces – whether fixed or removable – should avoid excessive snacking and should aim to eat a healthy and balanced diet. So, to make it easy, keep this short list of foods to avoid always in hand or try to memorize it.  They could cause damage to the braces and slow your progress.

Avoid the following products:

• hard candies

• gum

• nuts

• popcorn

• certain raw vegetables (for example, carrots)

Considerations

Regardless of what types of foods you eat with braces, it is important to keep the crevices between the teeth and around the braces very clean. That means brushing and flossing after meals to prevent the build-up of plaque and decay. Not only can failing to do so damage the teeth, but it can also cause discoloration.

 

What about Drinks?

Dr. Gass and our team at Gass Orthodontics encourage our patients to limit their intake of sports drinks.

The enamel erosion ultimately makes teeth more susceptible to bacteria and that can lead to hypersensitivity, staining, and tooth decay. If you do consume an energy or sports drink, make sure to wait at least 45 minutes until you brush, as consumption of acidic drinks causes tooth enamel to soften, making teeth more vulnerable to wear from the abrasives found in toothpaste.

A recent study published in General Dentistrystates states that energy and sports drinks contain so much acid that they begin destroying teeth after only five days of consistent use.

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, an estimated 30 percent to 50 percent of U.S. teenagers consume energy drinks and as many as 62 percent consume at least one sports drink per day.

The high acidity levels in the drinks erode tooth enamel and the result is irreversible damage.

Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, five times more common than asthma. It’s also preventable with proper care.

If you live in Eugene Oregon, Orthodontist Dr. Gass and his team can help identify early signs of erosion and offer solutions on how to prevent further damage and more serious problems from occurring.

What about Vacations?

Going on vacation? Remember these simple tips!

 

If you are wearing braces and are planning a vacation, our team at Gass Orthodontics would suggest that you be prepared.

We put together a list of items that will be handy to have with you at all times while you are out of town. They include:

• Toothpick, flosspick, or other interdental cleaners
• Travel toothbrush
• A water bottle or a mini bottle of mouth rinse
• Orthodontic wax to help with discomfort from protruding wires
• A small mirror for examining any possible issues in your mouth

Putting these items together in a “braces/oral hygiene kit” may be wise. You may even buy pre-made braces kits. Please ask us for more information.

If you happen to be on vacation and experience problems reaching our office, we suggest going online and searching for orthodontic practices in your area. Most orthodontists will lend a helping hand to another orthodontic patient and get him or her out of pain or discomfort.

We also suggest avoiding the following foods to prevent broken brackets and/or wire distortion while you are on vacation:

• Chewy, sticky, or gummy food
• Apples, pears, and other whole fruits (cut fruit into wedges before consuming)
• Bagels and hard rolls
• Corn on the cob
• Hard candies
• Hard cookies or pretzels
• All varieties of nuts, including peanuts, almonds, and cashews

Finally, if you are wearing clear aligners and happen to lose your tray, don’t worry! Simply put in either the previous tray or the next tray and contact us as soon as you get home!

Follow these tips and you can have a worry-free vacation!

 

Final Comments

 

Braces hygiene is all about habits and preparedness.

 

Following the tips presented in this article, will help you keep your braces and tooth in excellent health during the length of your treatment.

 

If you need assistance you have any questions, please give us a call. We are glad to help you and read to answer any questions!