Having braces means that you are going to have a great smile and aligned teeth when they come off but your excitement at having them removed may be dampened when you discover that they your teeth are properly aligned but stained. But having braces can present some challenges of its own when it comes to maintaining your oral hygiene as lack of proper cleaning on your part can increase the risk of dental infections.
Causes of Staining While Wearing Braces
Braces are made up of brackets and wires that tend to hide food particles which cause plaque to build up effectively causing the discoloration of your teeth. So the braces themselves don’t discolour your teeth but rather the film of plaque that forms over your teeth which needs constant cleaning. This is also due to poor oral hygiene on your part.
Admittedly wearing braces makes it a lot harder for you to remove plaque from your teeth which causes bacteria to build up in your mouth and increase the rate of tooth demineralization, causing white spots to form on the surface of your teeth. These white spots tend to increase your chances of tooth decay and gingivitis when you have braces.
Floss and Use Mouthwash Regularly
Your orthodontist will guide you on how to maintain proper oral hygiene when wearing braces, as well as what kind of floss and mouth rinse combination you can use. Using a good floss and mouthwash will allow you to reach and clean the places that a toothbrush can’t reach and reduce the risk of discoloration and bacteria.
Avoid Foods that Stain and Eat Brace-Proof Foods
You have to be careful about what you eat when you have braces as you risk damaging your orthodontic appliances as well as risking your teeth getting stained. Foods with a lot of colouring such as coffee, tomato paste and soft drinks can easily stain your teeth so it’s best to avoid consuming them altogether. If you do happen to consume them, make sure to rinse out your mouth with water immediately after.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Regular visits to your orthodontist is of vital importance to get the best results out of your treatment as your dentist will be able to detect and treat any of your dental problems well in time, thus preventing problems in the future. It is recommended to visit your dentist at least once every 3 to 6 months for a check up.
Consume Less Sugar
Prevention is better than cure when it comes to avoiding tooth decay. If you can manage to avoid sugary foods which cause decay then you will definitely end up spending a lot less time and money trying to treat your dental problems in future.
Make sure to follow the above tips and visit your dentist regularly when you have braces to reduce the chances of tooth staining and tooth decay so that you can retain your smile when your braces come off.
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