Oral Hygiene

While you are wearing your braces, excellent oral hygiene is a must! Tooth brushing is critical to keep your teeth and gum tissue healthy. This is especially true around the gum line. Food and plaque left around the appliances will result in decalcification or white marks on the tooth, which are permanent and visible after the braces have been removed. When you are finished brushing, be sure to check that all debris has been removed from above, below and all the sides of bands and bonds to prevent these white marks. Also, remember to use a fluoride rinse daily through your entire time in braces.

Foods and Beverages to Avoid

Hard or sticky foods can cause the bands to come loose or bend the wires to make them ineffective. A few examples of food to avoid are:

• Popcorn
• Hard Candies
• Chewy/Sticky Items: Caramels, Starburst, Skittles
• Gum (even sugarless)
• Apples and carrots (must be cut in small bite size pieces)
• Corn (must be cut off the cob)
• Sour Candy
• Pop
• Sports Drinks
• Juices

Use common sense; if it’s hard or sticky AVOID IT!