A beautiful smile creates self-confidence. Orthodontics improve the alignment of your teeth, bite, and jaw and can be beneficial for appearance and oral health—at any age. If you are an adult with new braces, the professionals at Delgado Orthodontics in North Richland Hills, TX, offer the following tips to care for your oral health.

Cleaning Teeth

Brushing your teeth is a priority, as food particles are more easily trapped in the hardware of braces. Choose a soft toothbrush that will not irritate the gums. Brush at the gum line first, angling the brush to 45 degrees. Then, brush your teeth above and below the brackets. Rinse thoroughly. An electric toothbrush is a good choice to make sure you are cleaning each side evenly and completely. Most electric toothbrushes have two-minute cleaning cycles that indicate when to switch sides. Rinse your mouth vigorously with water or mouthwash if brushing after a meal isn’t an option.

Flossing

Guiding floss around braces is a little tricky, but there are a variety of tips to make it easier. Flossing sticks made for orthodontics are available at drug stores, or choose a waxed floss that is less likely to be snagged on the brackets. If there are spaces between your teeth, an interdental brush is effective for removing plaque and food debris. If flossing is challenging, ask your dentist about an oral irrigator. Irrigators direct an adjustable stream of water through a small wand that is easy to manipulate and reaches hard-to-access areas.

Watching Your Diet

There are certain foods to avoid with braces. Popcorn, toffee and taffy, caramel, hard candy, ice, and other sugary or starchy foods might build up around the brackets and encourage plaque and decay. Crunchy foods, such as carrots, celery, or apples, should be cut into small pieces to avoid damaging the wires. 

Braces can take a little time to get used to, but with some effort, you can make caring for your orthodontics easy. Delgado Orthodontics offers traditional and clear braces, as well as Invisalign^®. They work with people of all ages—children, teens, and adults. Call (817) 282-1821 to schedule an appointment, or visit their website to learn more about their services and staff.