You may have thought your chances of getting braces passed with your teen years, but if you find yourself as one of the many adults who deal with wearing braces, there are a few things you should know to get the best results out of this tooth adjusting process. Dental experts encourage those with braces to give their teeth a little extra tender loving care. To get in touch with the top orthodontist in Burbank, contact Burbank City Dental today.

Things to Avoid

The Academy of General Dentistry recommends that those wearing braces avoid eating chewy or sticky candy or desserts, hard or crunchy foods, biting your lip, breathing excessively through your mouth and pushing your tongue against your teeth. Each of these activities can cause problems with your braces and or your mouth in general so it’s best to avoid them as much as possible.

Pay Attention to What You Eat

Wearing braces makes you much more aware of the types of foods you put in your mouth. If you eat a lot of foods that contain excessive amounts of sugar and starch, plaque can begin to build up around the brackets of the braces which can then stain your teeth, cause gum disease or even cavities. Extremely chewy and sticky foods like dried fruit, corn on the cob, gum, caramel or taffy can get stuck in the braces and make them very difficult to clean.

Foods that are extremely hard should also be avoided because these foods can damage or break the wires and loosen the brackets. Foods like nuts, ice, popcorn and beef jerky are all on the no-go list of foods if you wear braces. If you enjoy eating crunchy food, cut it into small pieces.

Brushing and Cleaning Your Braces

If you wear braces, you need to up your brushing game. Instead of just brushing twice a day, you need to brush every time you eat, whether it’s a meal or a snack. Food particles can become trapped in the braces and the longer they stay there, the higher your risk of developing problems. Rinse your mouth with water to loosen any food particles stuck in and around your braces and then brush each tooth at the gum line, as well as above and below the brackets. Then rinse again after brushing to get rid of anything you brushed loose.

Flossing is also important, so you should make sure you take the time to do this at least once a day. Experts advise not only flossing between the braces but also under the wires using floss threader or orthodontic flosser. Waxed floss is easier to use and is less likely to snag on your braces. And if you find that your braces or wires are chafing the inside of your lips, you can also get special wax from your dentist or at your local drug store to help prevent this irritation.

Finding the Right Orthodontist

Whether for children or adults, the first line of defense is really to maintain good oral hygiene on a regular basis. Most tooth pain begins with tooth decay so make sure you are brushing and flossing daily, regularly rinsing with antiseptic mouthwash, and visiting your dentist twice a year to have your teeth cleaned and examined.

Orthodontist in Burbank

If you need braces or just haven’t seen an orthodontist in a while, contact the professionals at Burbank City Dental. You can easily schedule an appointment online. You can also meet the team of professionals and view a complete list of services. Don’t take your dental health for granted. If you’ve neglected your oral health and haven’t seen an orthodontist in Burbank for years, don’t wait another day. Problems with your teeth can lead to infections that can impact other areas of your body. Don’t put yourself at risk. Make your appointment with Burbank City Dental today.