After getting a new appliance placed on your teeth, there will come an adjustment period where you will slowly need to get used to changing your oral hygiene habits to accommodate its presence. Alba Orthodontics shares with all our patients the importance of keeping your teeth in perfect condition throughout treatment! Read on to learn more about maintaining good oral health with orthodontic treatment, such as brushing, flossing, and thinking about your eating habits.
Stick to a Daily Routine
Brushing
Thoroughly brushing your teeth is the cornerstone of oral health and the best way to preserve their strength and functionality in the long term. Brushing twice daily is a great habit, but when you are wearing an appliance, doing so additionally after each meal is the best.
Drs. Fred and Jeff Alba recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush along with fluoride toothpaste to clean off plaque buildup and bacteria most effectively. Both gentle tools are nonabrasive on your teeth and gums so as not to scratch your appliance. You can expect to go through your brushes quicker than usual, so be sure to have a replacement ready to continue meticulous cleanings.
Flossing
Before your teeth reach their ideal alignment, you will continue to get small pieces of food stuck between them after meals. Being sure to remove these pieces at the end of each day helps to slow down bacteria growth. If a piece of food is left in your mouth for too long, it can negatively affect your breath and lead to tooth decay.
Flossing at least once a day, preferably during your nightly routine, is considered best practice, but getting it in at any point will still benefit your oral health. If your appliance has wires that prevent you from using a string of floss by itself, Alba Orthodontics will provide you with a special threader to get the job done.
Mouthwash
When you are looking for a way to supplement your brushing and flossing routine, fluoride mouthwash can significantly boost your oral health by removing plaque, fighting tooth decay, preventing cavities, and even freshening up bad breath. Some mouthwash formulas include fluoride, the same natural ingredient in water and toothpaste, which builds up your protection against tooth decay and preserves your enamel.
Tongue Scraping
Brushing your teeth does a great job of ridding your mouth of harmful bacteria, but if you don’t directly use a tongue scraper to clean your tongue, bacteria that can cause harm remain. This final step takes only a minute and can protect your teeth even longer!
Drink Lots of Water
One of the best natural ways to clean your teeth throughout the day is with the help of water. Water naturally contains fluoride, which prevents tooth decay and eliminates harmful bacteria in your mouth. Drinking water during the day even dilutes the acids created in your mouth from sugary foods, preventing cavities. Keeping a bottle with you during the day will strengthen your teeth and benefit your general health.
Be Mindful of Your Eating Habits
If you wear traditional metal or clear braces, thinking about the food you eat throughout treatment will help save you from complications later on. Some food restrictions do come with wearing these appliances; doing your best to stick to safe foods helps keep your teeth in excellent long-term condition. Not doing so can result in small food particles stuck in places that are difficult to reach with your toothbrush, which could build bacteria.
Safe Foods to Eat
After getting your braces in, we recommend starting a soft-food diet throughout treatment. Eating foods such as pasta, tender chicken, mashed potatoes, soup, bananas, soft cookies, and plenty more are great options to keep your nutrition healthy and your teeth safe from damage. Our team can provide you with a list of delicious foods to stock up on!
Foods to Avoid
On the other hand, crunchy foods that require a bite or are hard must stay in the cupboard. This includes potato chips, raw vegetables, gummies, corn on the cob, nuts, and popcorn. While you may not be able to eat some of your favorite foods during this time, we assure you it will be worth the wait as your smile shifts in place. Ask us if there is a specific food you are wondering about!
Making Nutritional Choices
Keeping up with your nutrition is a critical way to maintain the strength of your teeth and optimal oral health. You work to protect your gums, balance the acid level in your mouth, and prevent common complications like gum disease. If you are curious about the specific effect something has on your teeth, feel free to ask Drs. Fred and Jeff Alba at your next visit.
Attend Your Follow-Ups
Throughout treatment, we ask you to attend follow-up appointments so we can check on the health of your teeth and determine if any issues need to be addressed. The earlier we are able to spot complications, the easier time we can offer while finding the proper treatment.
Our team asks that you keep these appointments as best as possible as they are carefully spaced and allow us dedicated time to ensure everything goes according to plan. Please let us know if something pops up that prevents you from attending so we can help you reschedule.
Keep Your Teeth Healthy Long-Term!
Our team in Mechanicsburg is ready to be your support system throughout treatment and can answer any questions that may arise during this time. We are just a call away when you need to contact Drs. Fred and Jeff Alba. Schedule your free consultation so we can get you started on life-changing treatment today. We can’t wait to meet you!