Dr Carol Waldman has provided the highest quality of dentistry and cosmetic dental proceedures since 1982! Visit them today to find out more 808 York Mills Road Toronto, ON M3B 1X8‎ (416) 445-6000 (www.cosmeticdentistry.net)

1. A PATIENT’S GUIDE TO
CARING FOR BRACES

2. Introduction cont…
Whether you’re excited about getting braces, think it’s
kind of cool or are dreading the process altogether, it’s
important that you care for your braces properly once
they are in your mouth.

3. Introduction cont…
Getting braces is an orthodontic procedure that many
people have to help them straighten out their smile or fill in
unwanted spaces. Most patients are somewhere in the
teen years when they first get orthodontic braces put in,
but seeing adults with braces isn’t too uncommon.
Follow this guide to keep your braces clean and your teeth
healthy.

4. Flossing and Brushing
Just because you have braces doesn’t mean you don’t
have to brush and floss. In fact, they may be even
more important. Here are some tips for flossing:
 Slide the floss into the space between the upper part
of your tooth and the main arch wire of the braces.
 Use a light sawing motion to scrape the floss across
each side of the two teeth it is between.
 Continue like this until you’ve run the floss over each
tooth.
 Be gentle when maneuvering the floss through and
around the arch wire.

5. Flossing and Brushing cont…
For brushing:
 Use a regular soft-bristled toothbrush.
 Brush with strokes going up from the bottom and then
down from the top on each tooth that has braces.
 Use a specialized brush designed for orthodontic
braces and clean between braces. Use several
strokes in each direction until the space between the
braces seems clean.

6. Inspect Afterwards
After you have finished your flossing and brushing
routine, take the time to inspect your work. It may seem
time consuming, but the last thing you want is food to
get lodged between braces or under wires and end up
causing you problems.
Take a look at both the upper and lower teeth, and redo
any parts that you’ve missed.

7. Modify Your Diet
Most orthodontic braces consist of wires and bands,
and if you continue to eat certain foods once they’re in
you risk breaking or damaging the braces. Avoid hard
foods like hard candies, cookies or nuts and try
chopping harder produce like apples and carrots into
smaller pieces.
Stay away from sticky foods like toffee and caramel and
stop chewing gum while you have braces. With other
foods, just use your discretion and err on the side of
caution if you’re unsure.

8. Playing Sports
For athletes and sports lovers, it would be cruel and
unusual punishment to say you had to refrain from
sports if you have braces. Luckily, you can keep
playing all your sports while the braces are in, just use
caution where necessary.
If you play a sport where being hit in the mouth is a
possibility, you can have a specially designed
mouthguard made to accommodate your braces.

9. Retainer Care
If you don’t have the full, permanent braces but have an
orthodontic retainer instead you should brush the
retainer each time you brush your teeth.
It’s also wise to soak your retainer in a brand name
denture cleaner at least once per week. Make sure you
rinse the retainer off thoroughly with clean water before
you put it back into your mouth.

10. Troubleshooting
If you encounter problems with your braces it’s always a
good idea to call your orthodontist for repairs. However,
if it’s the weekend or you have to wait to see him, here
are some troubleshooting tips:
 Use a small piece of orthodontic wax to reattach loose
brackets.
 Use the eraser end of a pencil to move a protruding
wire to a different location.
 Rinse your mouth with warm salt water if a broken
wire cuts he inside of your mouth or cheek.
 Save any broken pieces you can’t reattach and bring
them to your orthodontist appointment.

11. References
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/care-of-
braces-retainers
WebMD
http://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information/
Articles/Cosmetic-Dentistry/Orthodontics/Orthodontic-
Care/article/Protecting-Your-Healthy-Smile-while-
Wearing-Braces.cvsp
Colgate.com