Homewood-IL-OrthodontistsIt’s bound to happen. You’re done eating lunch, you go to rinse your mouth out to get food off of your braces…but it’s stuck! Allowing food to sit in or around your brackets can cause damage to your orthodontic appliances and teeth. Thankfully, there are useful tools for tackling stuck-on food. Here are some tips from our Homewood, IL orthodontists to keep in mind when caring for your braces.

#1: Avoid Certain Foods

Ideally, you should stay away from all hard and chewy foods throughout orthodontic treatment. Anything that puts pressure on your teeth or foods that may get stuck on your braces should be avoided.

Of course, it’s understandable that there may be a time you accidentally eat food that’s going to get caught in your braces. Do your best to avoid these foods, or remove the residue from your teeth, and be in contact with our team should any damage occur.

#2: Use a Proxabrush

A Proxabrush is a small dental brush that allows you to clean between your brackets and the spaces between your teeth. It’s difficult to reach these spots with your toothbrush alone and neglecting the food in these spaces can lead to the buildup of plaque and tooth decay. Keeping a Proxabrush on-hand will ensure you can easily remove food from your teeth after eating.

#3: Use Threaded Floss & a Water Pick

It’s difficult to floss properly with braces; you can’t get between your teeth the same way as before. Threaded floss is perfect for getting in now hard-to-reach places, like above your wire or under your gums. It’s simply a string of floss with a sturdy end which allows you to thread it into small areas.

A water pick is another helpful dental tool. It shoots a stream of water between your teeth and gums. It’s a convenient way to clear out food and floss quickly!

Contact Our Homewood, IL Orthodontists for An Appointment!

For more braces tips or to schedule your complimentary new patient Grant Orthodontics Smile Assessment, contact our friendly team by clicking here or by calling 708-221-8253. We look forward to helping you achieve your best smile!

This information is not meant as medical advice. It is provided solely for education. Our orthodontics office in Homewood, IL would be pleased to discuss your unique circumstances and needs as they relate to these topics.

Call our Homewood Dental Office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.