TIPS FOR NEW BRACES WEARERS

Dental appliances can cause more plaque to build up and can also trap food so it's important to keep your teeth and your braces nice and clean.

With fixed braces, it's usually no more difficult than brushing natural teeth although it may take a little longer.

Braces care kit

An interdental brush can help to clean in between the teeth and around the brace. We also recommend using an alcohol-free mouthwash every day.

We recommend that you try to brush your teeth after every meal to make sure you remove any small pieces of food that can become trapped in your braces.

Braces care routine

Patients being treated with the Invisalign system can clean their aligners by brushing them with a toothbrush and rinsing them under the tap.

Because you take your Invisalign out for eating and drinking anything other than water, it's important to thoroughly clean your teeth before you put your aligners back in.

Your dentist can also advise you on the best specialist cleaning tablets to use.

FOOD AND BRACES

Foods that can be tricky to eat when wearing fixed braces include raw vegetables, such as carrots, and things like crusty bread, thin crust pizza and corn on the cob.

It's best to avoid hard foods altogether at first until you start getting used to wearing your braces.

When you're ready to give these foods a try, it’s best to cut them up into small pieces to make sure they do not break the brackets and wires in your brace.

What to eat with braces

For the same reason, you should completely steer clear of things like sticky or hard sweets, ice, chewing gum and hard biscuits.

We advise our patients to give up drinking sugary, fizzy drinks during their treatment because they can stain the brackets on the teeth.

Ask your dentist for advice about drinking alcohol while wearing braces.

Invisalign food restrictions

As already mentioned, patients with Invisalign, removable plastic aligners can take them out for eating or drinking.

This means you can eat or drink anything you like as long as you brush your teeth before putting your aligners back in.

Eating anything at all while wearing Invisalign aligners is forbidden because it's very likely this would cause some damage.