Being fitted for braces is a major undertaking for a good purpose. When the hardware finally comes off, your smile will have been transformed into gleaming perfection! However, it is important to take care of your braces while wearing them to ensure the treatment works as planned. Here are some tips to keep in mind.

Daily Cleaning

It is very important for your orthodontic treatment to be successful for you to maintain regular daily brushing of your teeth after eating. You also need to care for your braces by following the orthodontist's cleaning instructions. This may involve a recommended toothpaste or mouth rinse to protect your braces and to keep bacteria from building up between and beneath them. Brush your teeth after every meal and snack to keep your teeth and braces in good condition.

Special Flossing

The orthodontist may suggest a certain type of flossing product to clean your braces. This requires threading the floss through the metal hardware to remove food and plaque. It's not painful or difficult, but it does require a few minutes of time. The investment is worthwhile to keep your teeth safe and clean from bacterial buildup around your wires and metal brackets.

Avoid Crunchies And Stickies

Although you can eat pretty much a regular diet when wearing braces, you should avoid certain foods that can be damaging to your braces as well as your teeth. Crunchy popcorn, hard nuts, and some brands of chips can be hard to eat with braces. Some may accidentally bend the wires. Likewise, sticky taffy, gum, or caramel foods can latch on to your braces and be hard to remove. Brace wires have been known to break due to the wrong kinds of foods. Soda pop has an effect on your teeth and somewhat on your braces that is similar to acid, causing erosion and damage. Your orthodontist will provide a list of foods and beverages to avoid while wearing braces. Follow it carefully for best treatment results.

Keep Up With Orthodontic Appointments

A busy life may conflict with regularly-scheduled orthodontic checkups. Avoid postponing those visits, if possible, in order to stick to your regular treatment schedule. This will help to ensure a good outcome and satisfactory, timely results.

Orthodontic treatment is not difficult to care for at home, but it is important to follow the orthodontist's guidelines. Before you know it, the treatment will be finished, and you will love your new look.

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Written By:
Anica Oaks is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor related. You can connect with Anica on Twitter @AnicaOaks.

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Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.

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