A Guide to Braces

Did you get braces recently and don’t know how to take care of them or not sure what food to eat and what you shouldn't eat? Well, if that’s the case, then this article is here to help you! 

Keeping your teeth clean is an absolute must, especially when you have braces. In order to keep your teeth and braces clean, you will need:

• 1 string floss/water floss (water floss is highly recommended)

• 1 toothbrush with a soft brush (do NOT use toothbrushes with a hard brush because they will cause your brackets to fall and it will also make your teeth hurt)

• 1 tube of toothpaste (from a good and reliable brand)

After you have all these items, simply follow the following procedures:

1. Clean each gap between your teeth with the string floss/water floss

2. Start brushing your teeth

3. Brush the inner side of your teeth

4. Brush the outer side of your teeth gently

5. Brush your tongue

6. Brush the top of your teeth 

7. Brush your gum

8. Brush for at least 2-3 minutes in the day and 3-4 minutes at night

Also you should clean your teeth with the string floss/water floss after you eat something (This is also highly recommended). 

When it comes to food, it can be rather difficult deciding what to eat and what to not eat. You definitely shouldn’t eat anything sticky, hard or crunchy because they will stick to your brackets or even break it. Here’s a list of foods you shouldn’t eat at all:

• Hard candy (candy canes, peppermint, jolly ranchers)

• Sticky candy or foods that contain caramel

• Caramel

• Pizza crust

• Any kind of meat  only when there’s a bone

• Hard fruits and vegetables (if you do want to eat it, then cut it up in extremely thin slices)

• Crunchy bread

• Hard bread, like baguette

• Bagel

• Chips

• Popcorn

If you’re wondering what foods/snacks/sweets you're allowed to eat. Then, here’s a list of foods you can eat:

• Cake

• Cupcake

• Croissant 

• Yogurt

• Ice cream

• Soft baked cookies

• Pizza (but not the crust)

• Boneless meat

• Oatmeal

• Potatoes 

• Fries

• Mashed potatoes

• Mac and cheese

• Muffins

In conclusion, keeping your teeth clean and eating the right food is important, especially when you have braces. I hope this article helped you take care of your braces!