When you’re wearing clear braces, you need to also take care of your teeth. Clear braces can help make your smile more beautiful, but you want that smile to be full of healthy, white teeth.
Good daily dental hygiene, watching what you eat and drink when your braces are on, and routine cleanings (at least twice a year) are the key to staving off other dental problems, such as cavities or infections, that could interfere with your orthodontic treatment.
Drink Water to Prevent Staining and Sugar Buildup
Staining is a common problem with clear braces. If you drink a lot of coffee or tea, your clear braces will begin to show the brown stains that both these drinks leave. Sodas and other sugary drinks will leave sugar deposits on your teeth, which can lead to decay over time.
Water is your best choice because it will not leave any stains and it will not leave sugary deposits on your teeth. Water also has many other health benefits, so not only will your clear aligners look great, but you may also find that you feel better.
Brush Your Teeth After You Eat
When you have clear braces, it is easier for food particles and sugar to accumulate on your teeth. The easiest way to combat this is to brush your teeth after you eat.
If you’re not home when you eat, be sure to brush your teeth as soon as you get home. You may want to carry a portable toothbrush and toothpaste with you when you go out to make sure you can brush your teeth after you’ve eaten something.
Floss Your Teeth Every Day
All of us should floss our teeth every day, but when you’re wearing clear braces, it’s imperative that you do this. Food particles can lodge in your teeth and gums. If they are not removed regularly, these food particles can lead to infections in your teeth and gum erosion.
Using a water flosser – there are some models that include both a toothbrush and a flosser – is one of the easiest and most effective ways to floss your teeth. They are a good investment because they will help you keep a healthy smile.
Get Routine Teeth Cleanings
Just because you’re wearing clear aligners doesn’t mean that tarter and plaque won’t build up on your teeth. In fact, your teeth may be more prone to developing plaque and tarter buildup when you’re wearing clear braces.
Therefore, it’s important to make sure that you have your teeth cleaned regularly while you’re wearing clear braces. This will help ensure that you don’t develop gum disease, which often requires extensive treatment.
Take Care of Your Clear Braces
Clear braces are relatively easy to take care of if you follow a few simple guidelines. Clear braces should always be removed when you’re eating and when you’re drinking anything other than water. This helps keep them from getting stained or damaged.
When you remove your clear braces to eat or drink, make sure you put them in a secure place. This way they won’t be damaged, and you don’t have to risk them accidentally – because you laid them on a napkin – being thrown away.
Clear Aligners in Austin, TX
If you want to find out more about how clear braces can help your smile, Dr. Helen Ragsdale at Austin Laser Dentist is your best choice. Known as Austin’s gentle dentist, Dr. Ragsdale has treated many patients to create or restore their smiles. Schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Ragsdale today by calling us at (512) 346-4690. You will not be disappointed.
