4 Things You Can Do to Maintain Your Traditional Braces

Traditional braces do a great job of straightening your teeth and realigning your jaw. Once installed, they need to be maintained in order to work properly. Your orthodontist in Lake Forest and Gurnee, IL, will give you information about how to take care of your braces. Feel free to ask questions about how you can care for braces! Below, we’ve listed four things you can do to take care of your traditional braces.

1. Keep Them Clean

Food can easily get caught in traditional braces. When this happens, plaque can build up on your teeth. This plaque is difficult to remove. You can keep your braces clean by brushing after every meal. Use non-abrasive toothpaste and a soft-bristle toothbrush.

2. Eat the Right Foods

Some foods can damage your braces, while other foods can easily get caught in the brackets of your braces. Avoid foods that are especially hard and crusty. Food like hard bread, nuts (especially almonds), crunchy raw vegetables, and hard candies can all break braces wires or brackets, leading to necessary repairs.

Sticky foods like caramel and gummy bears can get stuck to your braces and may not be easy to remove. Avoid anything sticky like this to keep your braces clean.

3. Floss

Flossing can be a challenge when you’re wearing braces. Your dentist will show you how to floss while wearing traditional braces. You may need a floss threader to make this job easier.

4. See the Orthodontist Regularly

Keep up your regular trips to the orthodontist while wearing your braces. Your dentist will be able to identify problems with your braces when you come in for adjustments.

Do you need braces in Lake Forest and Gurnee, IL? Contact Goshgarian Orthodontics to make your appointment.