(905) 822-3142 Mississauga Orthodontics  |
 Six Points Orthodontics(416) 231-9168

When you have braces, it is very important to brush and floss regularly in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout treatment. Brushing and flossing properly can prevent the formation of plaque, a clear film of bacteria that sticks to your teeth. After you eat, the bacteria break down sugar on your teeth into acids that eat away tooth enamel, causing holes called cavities.

In addition to keeping up a good hygiene routine at home, we recommend that you visit your dentist every three to four months for regular cleanings. If you need help choosing the right toothbrush, toothpaste or dental floss, please ask Dr. Gawlik or a member of our team at your next visit to our Mississauga or Etobicoke orthodontic office, and we can help you choose the right products for your teeth and appliance.

Brushing and Flossing with Braces

We recommend brushing your teeth after every meal and flossing your teeth once a day.

Both manual and electric toothbrushes are effective at cleaning your teeth if you use the proper technique and brush for the right amount of time. An electric toothbrush may make brushing easier, resulting in better plaque removal. Brush your teeth for four minutes after every meal with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride-containing toothpaste. Don't rush your brush!

Brush the inside and outside surfaces of your teeth using small, gentle, circular motions while holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gum line. Pay close attention to the areas around your braces. Brush the teeth’s chewing surfaces and the inside surface of the front teeth using short, gentle, back-and-forth motions.

Use floss threaders to floss your teeth with braces. Wrap the ends of the floss around your pointer fingers of both hands, leaving a few inches of floss between them. Gently slide the floss between each set of teeth using a back and forth motion. Floss the sides of each tooth beneath the gum line to remove plaque and food particles. Repeat this process until you’ve flossed all of your teeth.

Dr. Gawlik highly recommends the use of a Waterpik device in addition to flossing.

Now that you have your braces, how do you take care of them? It's important for you to know how to properly take care of your braces throughout your entire orthodontic treatment.

Eating with Braces

Don't worry, you'll be eating popcorn again in no time! However, before you can start enjoying some of the treats you love, you will need to take special care to avoid any foods that could damage your new appliances.

Foods to avoid with braces:

  • Chewy foods — bagels, licorice
  • Crunchy foods — popcorn, crackers, ice
  • Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing gum
  • Hard foods — nuts, hard candies
  • Foods that require biting into — corn on the cob, apples, carrots

Foods you CAN eat with braces:

  • Dairy — soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
  • Breads — soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts
  • Grains — pasta, soft cooked rice
  • Meats/poultry — soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
  • Seafood — tuna, salmon, crab cakes
  • Vegetables — mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
  • Fruits — applesauce, bananas, fruit juice
  • Treats — ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cake

Soreness Caused from Braces and Appliances

When you first get your braces, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal and we promise your mouth will not be sore forever! To relieve the pain, we recommend dissolving one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish and gargle this solution in your mouth for one minute (do not swallow the saltwater).

If you expereince pain or soreness on your teeth, you can also try taking a pain reliever. It is also not uncommon for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become used to the braces. We would be happy to give you some wax that you can put over the braces to lessen the tenderness. If you need some wax, please let us know.

Loose Teeth

If your teeth begin feeling a little loose, don't worry; this is normal! Your braces must first loosen your teeth to move them into the right position. Once your teeth have been repositioned, they will no longer be loose.

Loose Wires and Bands

The wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliance. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you.

You can temporarily fix the loose wire by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to carefully and gently push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire to alleviate the discomfort.

Take Care of Your Appliances

Damaged appliances can increase the length of your treatment process, so be sure to take care of all your appliances. Your teeth and jaw can only move into their correct positions if you consistently wear the rubber bands, retainer, or other appliances prescribed by Dr. Gawlik.

Playing Sports with Braces

Game, Set, Match — we have great news for athletes! You can still play sports even while undergoing orthodontic treatment! If you do play sports, it's recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your appliance. Let Dr. Gawlik know if you need help finding the right mouthguard for the best protection.

In case of a sports emergency, be sure to immediately check your mouth and appliance for damage. If you notice any loose teeth or appliance damage, please contact our office right away. You can temporarily relieve the discomfort by applying wax or rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater.

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