Braces: Ways to Take Care of Your Braces and Your Teeth

From the very first day you come home from the orthodontist, you find that the once everyday task of brushing your teeth is no longer such an easy thing to do. One knows that flossing and brushing everyday will help prevent stains and cavities, and those with braces need new techniques for brushing and getting around all of that metal safely and maintain good oral health.
First, use fluoride toothpaste that is given to you by your orthodontist or one that bears the seal of the American Dental Association. Avoid using whitening toothpastes, as they will not help control the build up around your braces. Fluoride toothpastes can assist with brushing because it will penetrate the crack and crevasses in which the bacteria is hiding and eradicate it. 
Now it is also advisable to brush not only right before bedtime, but also right after eating any meal. One reason is that staining foods can potentially stain any rubbers on your braces, which may appear unappealing. It will also help reduce the staining around them, which may not be so apparent before having them removed. Also, it will be one more step of getting food out of them and prevent bacteria build up. 
While brushing, have the toothbrush angled at a 45-degree angle, using a sweeping up and down motion. Be sure to brush the top, bottom, and back of each tooth. Another thing to keep in mind is that one should always use a soft thistle toothbrush. Even for those without equipment in their mouths, a hard thistle toothbrush can damage the gums and even brush away one’s teeth. For those taking care of their braces, using soft brushes will help avoid damaging the hardware, such as breaking a wire open or snapping a bracket off. 
When flossing, one must take extra care while working around the braces. Before starting, be sure and remove all of the rubber bands first. Make sure to floss in between each tooth, taking care not to apply too much force. This will help you avoid snags and breaks, or having the floss break off, getting stuck in the brace. Having that stuck in your teeth could create a colony for plaque or bacteria to survive. Finally, using waxed floss will make the chore much easier and less likely to break or get snagged. 
Finally, keeping your toothbrush clean and new is important to good brushing with them. Be sure to change your toothbrushes every 3 months, or if there is any wear showing on the thistles. A worn down toothbrush can also break off in them or in between teeth. Another good idea is to replace it after a sickness, because the germs are able to reside deep within the brush. 
Going through the work, time, and money of having them is a lot to handle. But with proper brushing and care, it will all be worth it in the end.