Looking after your braces in St John’s Wood

Bad breath, cavities and gum disease are some of the conditions that may affect your oral health if you fail to take good care of your teeth and gums. That’s why we are encouraged to establish a thorough oral care routine from an early age.

Brushing and flossing our teeth is as important (if not more) when we are undergoing treatment for teeth straightening with braces in St John’s Wood. If you are not sure how to take proper care of your braces (whether fixed or removable), our experienced dentists at Aura Dental can help by giving you tips and advice and showing you the proper brushing and flossing techniques. This will help you reduce the amount of plaque that builds on your teeth and braces.

Brushing and flossing

As we’ve already mentioned, brushing and flossing are really important, especially when you are wearing braces in St John’s Wood. If you are planning removable braces or aligners such as Invisalign, then we have good news. You can continue brushing and flossing your teeth as you normally would – there’s no need to change your daily routine. If your braces are fixed (i.e. clear braces, Damon braces), then you should invest in a good quality toothbrush with soft bristles and clean your teeth thoroughly around the brackets to ensure that all food remains are gone. Your dentist may also recommend an interdental brush that’s specifically made for braces.

Foods to avoid

If you are wearing removable braces or Invisalign, you are lucky – you don’t have to change your diet. You can keep eating your favourite foods as long as you remove your braces or aligners before each meal. Patients with fixed braces should be more careful because some foods spell trouble for braces. Hard, chewy and sticky foods can damage your brackets and jeopardise your treatment. Crunchy fruit and vegetables are also dangerous for your braces, but you can consume them safely if you cut them in small pieces. Last but not least, it’s really important to avoid chewing on ice cubes or eating corn on the cob or meat on the bone.