How does Dr. Rambo recommend that you take care of your braces between appointments? Getting braces is a big step toward a brighter, happier smile. But you need to take care of them properly if you want your smile to truly shine when you finish your treatment! If you’re a braces patient with Rambo Orthodontics, you’ve got to keep those brackets, wires, and your teeth in top shape every single day. Good news: with the right tools and a little know-how, braces care fits easily into any routine. That way, the next time you come to your appointment, either in our Lansdale or Souderton location, you get an A+ for caring for them!
Brush Like a Pro
Good brushing habits are super important for taking care of your braces.
Aim for three sessions a day. Morning, after school or work, and before bed are the best times. A soft-bristle brush or an electric model with an orthodontic head reaches around brackets without hurting your gums.
Watch your angle. Most people just brush straight across! But this misses the most important part – your gums! Hold the bristles at a 45-degree angle and sweep them along the gumline. Then, tilt the bristles up and down to clean above and below the archwire. Spend about ten seconds on each tooth.
Make sure you spend enough time. Brushing should take about 2-3 minutes. Most electric toothbrushes have timers built in to help make sure you spend enough time. If yours doesn’t or you are using a manual toothbrush, play music for two minutes and make it fun! Remember: the time and effort you put in while you are in braces really will make your smile shine when they come off!
Use a fluoride toothpaste. We recommend using a fluoride toothpaste to help prevent white spots and cavities. White spots and cavities form when food and plaque sit on your teeth for an extended period of time, causing damage to the enamel. Fluoride helps repair small damage and prevent further harm to the teeth. At night, after your Waterpik (more on that below!), we recommend using the prescription fluoride toothpaste for even better protection.
Pro Tip For When You Are On The Go:
Add an interdental brush for on-the-go help. A skinny “proxy” brush slides under your wires to sweep away hidden pieces of food and plaque. You can use it at work or school, and it fits easily into a backpack or purse! We don’t recommend using it to replace your normal brushing, but it’s great for in-between cleanings when you are on the go!
Make a Waterpik Your Go-To for Flossing with Braces
Dr. Rambo recommends a Waterpik over string floss while you’re in braces. It’s faster and easier around your brackets and wires.
When To Use Your Waterpik
Our team recommends using your Waterpik at night. It’ll help clear out food around your brackets and wires. If you’re at home and want to use your Waterpik after meals, that’s even better! But make sure to use it at least once a day. If you’re traveling, you can pack it and take it with you.
How To Use It
Here’s Dr. Rambo’s step-by-step guide to your Waterpik.
Fill the tank. Use room-temperature or lukewarm water.
Choose the orthodontic tip. Snap it in firmly.
Start low. Set the pressure on the lowest setting. You can turn it up as your gums feel comfortable.
Lean over the sink. Close your lips slightly to limit splashing, but let the water flow out.
Trace the gumline. Aim the tip at a 90° angle to your gums. It takes about 2 seconds per tooth.
Clean around brackets. Spray the front and around each bracket.
Top, then bottom. Do the full upper arch, then the lower.
Finish strong. Spit and then brush your teeth as you normally would. Again, at night, make sure to use the prescription toothpaste for better protection against white spots and cavities.
Eat Smart, Smile Easier
Food choices matter when you’re trying to take care of your braces. Hard, sticky, or chewy bites can bend wires or break brackets. Our Rambo Orthodontics team suggests choosing softer, bite-sized foods, and you’ll keep things comfortable and moving forward.
Skip sticky candies and gum and reach for sugar-free mints or a small square of dark chocolate. Trade whole, crunchy nuts for crushed ones or smooth nut butter. Swap out popcorn (to avoid those pesky kernels and skins!) for PopCorners, PopChips, or Pirate’s Booty. Make sure to break up soft pretzels and chewy bagels. Likewise, breads for sandwiches should be soft and not have a hard crust.. Instead of eating chunks of steak or chicken, slice it thinly. Some fruits and vegetables, like biting into whole apples or corn on the cob, can really mess things up. Enjoy apples sliced thin, and cut your corn off the cob before eating.
Try to limit the amount of soda and sugary, acidic drinks to special occasions rather than drinking them every day or throughout the day. These wreak havoc on your teeth as both sugar and acid can break down your enamel!
Our team has great suggestions and substitutions for lots of foods – we are here to help you along your journey so that, with a few modifications, you can still enjoy your favorite treats, but also make sure that your orthodontic journey goes smoothly. We always make sure to spend the time at your appointments to go over these things to make sure you feel 100% confident!
Soothe Soreness Quickly
When you first get your braces, your mouth needs time to adjust. Thankfully, it happens very quickly, but a few tips can help you feel better faster. How can you take care of your braces and your gums if your mouth feels sore?
- Rinse with warm salt water (1 teaspoon salt to 8 ounces of water).
- Use orthodontic wax on any bracket that is rubbing against your cheek. Break off a pea-size ball, roll it softly, and press it over the spot. If you dry the area, it tends to stick better! Try breathing in or out, or using a cotton swab to carefully dry.
- Over-the-counter pain relief is rarely needed once you’re in the groove of things, but ibuprofen (Motrin) can help on day one if biting feels tricky.
- Stick to cold foods (such as smoothies, yogurt, and chilled soup) for the first meal after each visit. You don’t have to, but sometimes the cold helps make things feel better!
Breakage 101: Quick Fixes at Home
Dr. Rambo knows that life happens. Thankfully, there are very few emergencies when it comes to braces. However, if you break something or something starts to poke, we are always here to help! Follow these tips below to get you comfortable right away, and then give our Lansdale and Souderton team a call:
- Loose bracket – Thankfully, your brace will stay on the wire most of the time. If the bracket does slide off, please save it. Give our office a call to set up an appointment to fix it. If your appointment isn’t for a bit, we’ll try to get you in sooner, but even if it’s the same day, a call will help us get things ready so we can get you fixed up and on your way quickly!
- Poking wire – Use the eraser end of a pencil to nudge it flat. Place wax over the tip if it still scratches.
- Lost elastic tie – No worries. Please call the office, and we’ll advise you on whether you need a quick visit or not!
- Sore ulcer – Use wax to cover anything that might be nearby and rubbing against your cheek. You can use a warm, saltwater rinse to help soothe the area. Another option is to apply an over-the-counter oral gel for relief.
If sharp pain, swelling, or bleeding persists, call our Rambo Orthodontics team right away. Even if you have an appointment the same day, we’ll try to squeeze you in early if we can. Dr. Rambo’s emergency number is always listed if needed!
But remember, the best way to avoid issues with your appliances or causing broken braces is prevention. Follow Dr. Rambo’s tips and you’ll do great!
Ready for Your Next Step?
Have a question about wax, Waterpiks, or the best brush to buy? Call our Rambo Orthodontics team. We’re glad to hear it, as caring for your braces today lays the groundwork for a healthy, beautiful, confident grin tomorrow.
Interested in getting started with braces? Feel free to give us a call, drop by our Lansdale or Souderton offices, or go here to schedule online anytime. We are excited to meet you!
