Braces for Teens: The Correct Way to Take Care of Them

It’s common to develop certain negative habits around your braces, but they don’t have to become a permanent part of your character. To help you learn how to properly take care of your braces, we’ve compiled the following list of important tips.

Tip 1: Don’t Use Your Teeth as a Tool

No matter how tempting it may be to use your teeth as a pry bar, don’t do it! Your braces for teens are not meant to withstand such force. To remove tags from clothing or even to open a bag of chips can result in broken wires and brackets. Worse yet, it could severely damage your teeth as well.

Tip 2: Don’t Chew on Hard Objects

Your braces for teens are not meant to bite into anything hard. Even foods that feel soft, like bread or cookies, can be extremely abrasive against metal wires and brackets. It may also be tempting to chew on ice cubes, however, the risk of chipping your tooth is high since you have no way of knowing exactly how much pressure your teeth can handle under the stress of biting into something hard like ice. You should also avoid chewing on pens and pencils because they too are made out of hard material that will put unnecessary pressure on your teeth.

Tip 3: Brushing Your Teeth

Brush your teeth twice a day. The first thing you should do in the morning is brush for two minutes before breakfast and again at night for about three to five minutes after dinner, and floss, of course. If you wear braces for teens, make sure to use a soft-bristle toothbrush that will clean around the edges of your brackets without causing unnecessary friction or damage.

Tip 4: Don’t Use Too Much Toothpaste

It seems like toothpaste is everywhere, but that doesn’t mean you should use more than the recommended amount to brush your teeth. Overfilling your mouth with a paste may cause it to leak down the sides of your brackets, which will make them appear dirty and worn out prematurely. Applying too much toothpaste while brushing your teeth makes for an unnecessary battle of attrition as you try to get rid of all that excess paste.

Tip 5: Visit the Dentist

It is important to make time for regular checkups between your appointments. If you have braces, it is also a good idea to visit your orthodontist for cleaning about once every six months. Your orthodontist will examine the condition of your teeth and make sure that everything is looking great after all those months with braces on them! The sooner you catch signs of cavities or damage to your teeth, the less expensive they will be to fix.

Tip 6: Brush Against the Grain

When you brush your teeth, don’t just stick with random strokes in any direction. You should brush firmly against the grain of any braces to free them from plaque and other bacteria that can cause damage or pain over time. Just be sure not to use too much force as you brush — going gently will get the job done without damaging your gums or causing them to bleed. Brushing where your braces for teens are attached to your teeth is especially important because this is where bacteria tend to accumulate first.

Tip 7: Eat a Healthy Diet

Make sure that you aren’t skimping on your daily nutritional requirements. Nutritious foods promote stronger teeth that are less susceptible to cavities and other problems. Also, try to drink at least eight glasses of water every day. Be wary of carbonated beverages as they can erode tooth enamel.

Tip 8: Avoid Extreme Contact Sports

You wouldn’t believe the damage that can be caused by certain sports involving contact in which your mouth is likely to take a serious beating! Practices and games for boxing, wrestling, judo, among others, are all high-risk activities. So try to keep as much of your mouth covered during these activities with the appropriate headgear or protective gear to prevent expensive dental bills down the road.

You can do many things to take care of your teeth and your braces, including Invisalign braces. So make sure you follow these tips every day for the best results.