Braces help align the teeth and create a more uniform smile. But because this oral appliance needs to be in such close proximity to the teeth, additional care and upkeep are often necessary to prevent decay and cavities. Below are a few tips for caring for your teeth and braces and reducing the likelihood of developing cavities.

How to Prevent Cavities When You Have Braces

1. Implement Good Brushing Habits

People with braces need to brush their teeth with a little more attention than those without, as food particles and bacteria can get caught beneath brackets and wires. Use a small, soft-bristled toothbrush, and position it against the tooth at a 45-degree angle. Rotate it in small circular movements across all surfaces of the tooth, being sure to brush gently along the gumline as well. Aim to devote at least 10 seconds to brushing each tooth. Floss every time you brush using a floss threader designed for orthodontics.

2. Rinse Well

Food particles don't always want to come out with a thorough brushing. Rinsing well with both a fluoride rinse and an antibacterial mouthwash helps loosen food and wash it away before it can cause decay. The fluoride is also good for further cavity prevention and for strengthening the teeth, while the antibacterial mouthwash will kill the germs that can hide behind braces and encourage decay buildup and bad breath.

3. Stay Away From Hard or Chewy Foods

For the time a person wears braces, they may have to amend their diet by making small adjustments that can protect their oral health and prevent cavities. Hard foods like raw carrots and apples, nuts, corn on the cob, and unpopped popcorn kernels can all damage brackets and wires. But it's the chewy foods that pose the most cavity risk. Caramel, gum, taffy, toffee, licorice, peanut brittle, peanut butter, marshmallows, and other products with corn syrup as a primary ingredient should all be limited or avoided. These foods are difficult to brush, floss, or rinse away, and a buildup of them could lead to cavities. 

If you or your child has recently gotten braces, you need a reliable dentist to help monitor your smile. Family First Dentistry provides comprehensive dental services to the Anchorage, AK, area. Their dentists offer a variety of general, cosmetic, and orthodontic procedures, including braces, teeth cleanings, and periodontal disease treatment. They also have an emergency dentist available to accommodate unforeseen dental issues and last-minute oral health needs. Call (907) 562-2820 or visit the provider online to schedule an appointment today.