Dental Brace Guide

Braces Do’s
• Brush after every meal. If you can’t brush right away, rinse your mouth (and removable appliance) with water.
• Floss every day. Your orthodontist can give you a floss threader if you’re having difficulties.
• Chew only sugarless gum.
• Call your orthodontist if anything is loose or broken.
Braces Don’ts
• Don’t miss your orthodontic appointments. Missed or delayed appointments mean you’ll have to wear your braces longer.
• Don’t eat hard, sticky or chewy foods, crunchy foods.
• Don’t chew on pens, pencils, ice, fingernails or anything that might break your braces.

• Don’t forget to clean behind your back teeth.
• Don’t give mouthwash or fluoride toothpaste to young children, as they can swallow it.
• Don’t clean your tongue so hard that it hurts.
• Don’t rely on mouthwash alone too keep your teeth and gums clean and your breath fresh. Practice complete oral hygiene.
• Don’t ignore your gums – you can lose your teeth as well as have bad breath.
• Don’t drink too much coffee.
• Don’t smoke.

• Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleaning.

• Visit an orthodontist for an evaluation if you see any of the early warning signs of orthodontic problems.

• Have your child(ren) evaluated by an orthodontist by age seven. Many orthodontic problems can be more easily corrected before tooth and facial growth is complete.

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste.

• Floss between your teeth at least once a day, after dinner and before bedtime. (Tip: Use toothpaste on your floss for extra fresh breath.)

• Rinse and gargle with the mouthwash, ideally right before bedtime.

• Eat a balanced diet, limit between-meal snacks and eliminate sugary foods.

• Clean your tongue when your brush your teeth. (Tip: Instead of using toothpaste to brush your tongue, dip your toothbrush in mouthwash.)

• Drink plenty of liquids, especially water to keep your mouth moist. (Tip: If your mouth is dry, try sucking in your cheeks as if eating something sour to increase flow from the salivary glands.)