Caring for Your Braces in Overland Park and Olathe
You just got braces—now what? You’ve taken a big step by having braces put on at Moon Orthodontics and you're officially on the road towards a healthy, beautiful smile.
As you adjust to your new orthodontic treatment, you may need to make a few changes to your daily routine, but it'll become second nature before you know it!
How to Brush & Floss With Braces
What good are straight teeth if you don’t keep them healthy and clean? Believe us, when you see that new smile of yours, you’ll be glad you maintained your excellent oral hygiene.
To ward off tooth decay, gum disease and stains, be sure to floss once a day and brush in the morning, before bed and after every meal (braces are like a magnet for food particles). Keep up with your regular check-ups at your Olathe or Overland Park dentist as well.
Brushing
- When brushing, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and make sure to pay extra attention to all of the new nooks and crannies.
- Brush every surface of each tooth, including between, below and on top of the brackets.
- Angle the toothbrush so that the bristles get under your gum line too and use small, circular motions.
- Brush your tongue as well.
- Be sure you’re brushing for at least two minutes every time!
- If you’re at school or somewhere where you don’t have access to your trusty toothbrush, rinse your mouth out really well after eating and then brush as soon as you can.
Flossing
- Flossing is really important because a toothbrush can’t reach certain areas, especially when wearing braces.
- Flossing with braces takes some getting used to and you’ll want to use a floss threader and waxed floss.
- Pass the floss under the wire using the threader and then between two teeth.
- Slide the dental floss up and down on the side of each tooth and then slide it over between the next pair and repeat.
- It’s best to floss at night after brushing your teeth.
What to Eat With Braces
Surprisingly, braces won’t change the way you eat too drastically. When you first get your braces put on and after adjustments, your teeth will be a little sore for a few days.
Cold drinks and snacks like ice water, ice pops, smoothies and frozen yogurt will work wonders, as will soft foods like mashed potatoes and yogurt. Stick with these until the aching subsides.
Really hard foods, like hard candy, can break brackets and chewy, sticky foods, like caramels, taffy, chewing gum and gummy bears can get stuck and cause issues.
Foods like popcorn, corn on the cob (cut off the cob is fine) and certain nuts can also get wedged between brackets causing inflammation and damage.
You should be careful when eating chewy breads, like bagels, potato chips and hard fruits and veggies like apples and carrots. Cut or break them into tiny pieces or in the case of chips, eat them one at a time. We also don’t recommend sugary food and drinks like soda, because it can lead to cavities.
When eating anything, you’ll really just want to make it as easy to chew as possible, which might require cutting things up. Be sure to chew with your back teeth and don’t rip or tear at food with your front teeth.