WEST ASHLEY  |  SUMMERVILLE  |  GOOSE CREEK | PORT ROYAL | HILTON HEAD ISLAND

WEST ASHLEY  |  SUMMERVILLE  |  GOOSE CREEK

 |  PORT ROYAL |  HILTON HEAD ISLAND

GOOD TO KNOW

HOW TO BRUSH WITH BRACES

GOOD ORAL HYGIENE

Now that you have your braces in place, it is just as important to maintain a good oral hygiene throughout the length of your treatment as it was before. Braces, wires, bands and retainers can all trap food particles and make it difficult to brush or floss away plaque. Careful brushing and flossing, preferably after every meal and snack, is the best way to prevent plaque build-up, tooth decay and gum disease.

COMMON PROBLEMS

When a person's teeth or jaw structure do not fit together properly, orthodontic treatment may be necessary to straighten teeth and promote ideal function. These problems, often referred to as malocclusions (or bad bites), can cause speech difficulty, premature wear of the teeth and protective enamel and even increase the chance of injury to teeth and jaw joints, if left untreated.

NO-NO LIST

 

For most situations, common sense will tell you what to avoid. Hard foods, sticky foods and foods high in sugar must be avoided. Hard foods can break or damage wires and brackets. Sticky foods can get caught between brackets and wires. Minimize sugary foods; they cause tooth decay and related problems. Nail biting, pencil and pen chewing and chewing on foreign objects should be avoided.

EXAMPLES OF HARD FOODS

 

  • Ice
  • Nuts
  • Hard Taco Shells
  • Corn on the Cob
  • Apples and Carrots
  • Bagels
  • Chips
  • Jolly Ranchers

MINIMIZE SUGARY FOODS

 

  • Cake
  • Ice Cream
  • Cookies
  • Pie
  • Candy

ONLY ONCE A DAY

 

  • Soda
  • Sweetened Tea
  • Gatorade
  • Kool-Aid

 

It's important to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. In the event of a loose / broken wire or bracket, call our office immediately to arrange an appointment for repair.