Life with braces
Improving your smile won’t get in the way of using it. We want your treatment to feel as smooth and comfortable as possible so we are sharing our top tips for living with braces.
Keeping your teeth clean
Maintaining good oral hygiene is vital when you have braces. To ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy during treatment, you should be brushing your teeth after every meal. Brushing your teeth with fitted metal or ceramic braces is different from before and we will show you the best methods for doing so at your fitting appointment.
It’s important that you brush your teeth for 3-5 minutes each time, making sure you are getting in between each bracket. It is also important to floss at least once a day to remove any trapped food and prevent plaque buildup.
Eating with braces
We do recommend making a few adjustments to your diet during treatment. This will help to protect your braces from damage, keeping your treatment on track.
Some foods you should try to avoid include:
- Hard or crunchy foods like hard candies or nuts
- Chewy foods like gum
- Sticky food like toffee or caramel
- Sugary food and drinks, which can cause plaque buildup and staining
- Whole foods you bite into - like apples, crusty sandwiches or corn-on-the-cob. You can still enjoy these but we suggest you cut them into bite-sized pieces first
If you do happen to damage your braces, we suggest contacting us as soon as possible so we can arrange to fix your appliance and keep treatment on track.
Ready for braces?
We would be happy to answer any other queries that you may have about braces at a consultation. You can book a free consultation with our team below.