- Use a soft bristle brush with a toothpaste containing fluoride
- Brush after every meal.
- If you cannot brush right away, rinse well with water.
- Most importantly, at least once everyday brush vigorously and floss until your teeth and braces are spotlessly cleans. This should take no less than five minutes.
- To be extra careful, rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash after brushing.
- Concentrate on the Danger Zone !
Trouble Shooting During Braces
Eating proper foods, minimizing sugar intake and getting enough sleep are essential during orthodontic treatment. Your braces are precise appliances that can be damaged by eating hard foods. Some soft and sticky foods can cause tooth decay and loosen or dislodge your braces.
| Forbidden hard foods: |
Forbidden soft foods: |
| |
Hard Candy |
Gum (especially bubble gum) |
| |
Corn chips |
|
| |
Popcorn |
Sticky chocolates like toffees |
| |
Jerky |
| |
Ice |
| |
Nuts |
| |
Pizza crust |
| |
Corn on the cob |
Avoid soda pop and drinks that contain sugar. Use common sense when choosing food to put in your mouth and avoid chewing on hard objects such as pens and pencils. Whole fruits and vegetable such as apples and carrots should be cooked or cut into small pieces and eaten carefully. |