Wearing braces can pose many challenges. You can’t eat everything you’d like; it’s tougher to floss, and it’s harder to keep your teeth clean and free of food debris. There’s also the possibility of bad breath. There are several reasons for this, and our Oxford orthodontist from Wilson Orthodontics has some solutions for you!
When you wear braces, food has a way of finding new places to get caught. This leads to the growth of oral bacteria that can cause bad breath. Here are some things you can do if you find yourself dealing with this problem…
Oxford NC Orthodontist Shares 3 Great Ways To Keep Your Breath Fresh!
#1 – Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water throughout the day. It helps keep your body working properly and also helps prevent dry mouth, which is a place where bacteria love to gather. When your mouth is dry, it produces less saliva. Saliva is your body’s natural way of removing bacteria and food remnants from your mouth, so it’s important for your mouth to keep producing it.
#2 – Eat Healthy
Sugar-heavy foods and beverages are bad for your teeth and your braces, and they can also contribute to bad breath. Replace your soda with water, and stick with healthy fruits and vegetables, protein, dairy, and grains that our Oxford orthodontist says are safe to eat with braces. Pizza and French fries might be on our list of favorite foods, but they don’t do our breath any favors, and that’s especially true if we’re wearing braces. Hard, sticky candies should not be eaten anyway, since they can damage braces. Popcorn, nuts, caramel, pretzels, and corn chips are also items you should avoid. They are bad for braces and can linger behind on brackets and behind wires.
#3 – Good Hygiene
It’s important to brush and floss regularly to keep your mouth clean and healthy. Brushing twice a day might not be enough with braces; you should carry a toothbrush with you and duck into a bathroom after lunch or a snack to make sure those food particles don’t take up residence in your mouth for very long. Flossing is a little trickier with braces, but your Oxford NC orthodontist will be happy to help you figure out the best way to do it. In addition, you should regularly rinse your mouth with an alcohol-free mouthwash (since alcohol can contribute to dry mouth). Your Oxford orthodontist can recommend a good mouthwash for you.
Our orthodontist in Oxford NC can help with more suggestions for avoiding bad breath with braces!
The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to orthodontics, feel free to contact Wilson Orthodontics, with a convenient orthodontic office location near Oxford NC, by clicking here or by calling 919.383.7423.