So you’ve taken the plunge and gotten braces. That’s great! Because when you get those braces off, you’re going to have a beautiful, straight smile that people will be sure to envy. But you have to make sure to continue taking care of your teeth for as long as you have braces. This includes brushing and flossing daily, just like you would if you didn’t have braces. It may take more time to do this with braces, but it is absolutely worth it.

Here are a few things that can happen to your dental health if you don’t brush:

Cavities and Tooth Decay

When you don’t brush properly, food particles will build up on your teeth, inviting bacteria that produce acids that eat away at your teeth. The most obvious result of this is more cavities— and no one wants that! Braces make it even easier for bad bacteria to get trapped.

Inflamed Gums

Not brushing could leave bad bacteria to inflame your gum tissue and put you at risk of gingivitis, which is the first stage of gum disease.

Discolored Teeth

The more food particles you let settle on your teeth, the more discolored your teeth will become. You don’t want the nasty shock of finally taking off your braces and realizing your teeth are darker than before you had braces!

Bad Breath

Not brushing your teeth means food particles will remain in your mouth and cause bacterial growth, which can lead to seriously foul-smelling breath.

It can seem frustrating to worry about dental cleanliness on top of already having braces, but it will be worth it in the end when you have a smile that’s not only straight but bright and healthy too!

Here are some tips to make your journey with braces a little easier:

Make sure to keep up a healthy dental routine by brushing for at least two minutes twice a day.
Use short strokes as you brush around your braces to get every nook and cranny where food particles might hide.
Also make sure to floss every day— for this you’ll probably need a special flosser, which is available cheaply in most drugstores.
Make sure to keep seeing your dentist while you have braces, and don’t forget to attend your twice-yearly cleanings.

Good habits will make this journey worthwhile, and you’ll come out the other side with a beautiful smile. If you have questions about how to care for your teeth with braces, contact our friendly team today! We look forward to speaking with you.