If you have crooked or crowded teeth, Dr. Muhammad Abey may recommend braces in Wayne, New Jersey. Getting braces requires dedication on your part. Caring for your teeth while wearing braces will take a little more time, but the results are well worth the effort.
Brushing Your Teeth With Braces
Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush using a gentle, circular motion. Brush down from the top of the teeth and then up from the bottom. Tilt your toothbrush 45 degrees to brush the tops and bottoms of your brackets. Then brush between your brackets using a proxabrush, which is shaped like a miniature Christmas tree. Insert the brush between the arch wire and the teeth and brush with upward and downward strokes. Repeat until you have cleaned between all of your brackets.
Floss Your Teeth With Braces
Dental hygiene is a little more involved while wearing braces. To floss, work the short end of your floss through the space between the upper part of the tooth and the arch wire. Then use a sawing motion to gently work the floss between the teeth. Be very careful around the arch wires.
Avoid These Foods While Wearing Braces
For those wearing braces, most foods can be eaten as long as they are cut into small pieces that can be easily chewed. However, some foods can damage braces and should be avoided, including:
– Hard foods that are hard to bite
– Chewy foods
– Corn on the cob
– Popcorn, nuts, carrots, and hard pretzels
Do not chew ice or bubble gum with braces.
We invite you to contact Wayne Family Orthodontics at 973-341-3180 today to learn more about braces and to schedule your next visit with our orthodontist.