Choosing to get braces means choosing to have a perfect smile. You don’t want your perfect teeth ruined with stains and decay because you did not take care of your teeth properly while wearing braces. Wearing them means you are more prone to dental problems such as gingivitis, tartar, and demineralization. Also, if proper hygiene is not maintained while wearing braces, it can prolong your treatment time. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy during this process.

Brush after every meal. Food and plaque can get trapped in the spaces between braces and wires and can be very dangerous to the health of your teeth. Besides causing decay and enamel stains, food can react with the bacteria in your mouth and the metal of the braces to produce decalcification. This can lead to small, permanent light spots on your teeth. Besides brushing at home, carry a travel toothbrush so you can brush while at school or work.

Floss at least twice a day. Flossing can be difficult while wearing braces. The wires make it difficult to get in between the teeth and floss properly. Luckily, a floss threader or special orthodontic floss can make this process easier. Be sure to not only floss in between teeth, but around the brackets and wires of the braces as well. Flossing regularly helps to ensure that all trapped food has been removed, which will greatly reduce your risk of decay and stains.

Avoid sugary foods. Food and drinks high in sugars lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Harmful oral bacteria feed on the sugars you eat to create acids that destroy tooth enamel. Avoiding sugary foods helps to limit the amount of acid produced.

A white and perfect smile is not something that happens over-night. These tips and some small positive changes in your daily and nightly routines will help you work towards a healthy, happy smile – not just for now, but for a lifetime.