Avoiding Uneven Staining After Braces

Preventing staining can keep a smile white and bright and it is even more important while you are wearing braces. Because the brackets are usually in place for at least a year, staining can lead to uneven marks when the braces come off. At Alta Loma Dental Care in Alta Loma, CA, we offer professional teeth whitening; however it is nice to know how to avoid staining, as well.

The main part of keeping a white smile is keeping a great dental hygiene routine. This includes brushing your teeth for the recommended amount of times and doing a thorough job. It will help to brush after every meal. Just be sure to wait at least thirty minutes after eating to protect your enamel. Also, be sure to hit spots like the roof of your mouth, your inner cheeks, and your tongue. These places, especially your tongue, can collect bacteria just like your teeth. It will help to pick up some extra supplies like an interdental cleaner and floss threaders. These make it easier to clean around the brackets and wires.

When it comes to dark foods and drinks, they are okay every now and then but try to avoid consuming them frequently. Examples of these foods are cranberries, tomato soup, coffee, and tea. Liquids can be sipped through a straw to minimize contact. Rinsing your mouth out afterward can also help deter any lasting staining.

Interested in perfecting your smile? Inquire about our orthodontic options and professional teeth whitening. To schedule an appointment at Alta Loma Dental Care in Alta Loma, CA, call (909) 987-6268 or visit our website, www.altalomadentalcare.com. 

Bad Habits to Stay Away from While Wearing Braces

While wearing your braces, it is important to follow any precautions. Holding onto bad habits while wearing braces can slow down the process or damage the braces. At Alta Loma Dental Care in Alta Loma, CA, we want all of our patients to understand how to take good care of their braces. Keep reading to learn about habits to avoid.

Biting Hard Objects

Biting your fingernails is already bad for your teeth, but when you bite them while wearing braces, it could create enough pressure to cause one of your brackets to break or pop off. Even if the brackets remain intact, the pressure will make the braces less effective, therefore delaying treatment. The same goes for biting pencils, water bottles, etc. While wearing braces, you should even stay away from hard foods like raw carrots, bagels, and popcorn. In addition, skip sticky foods like caramel and gum.

 

Brushing Abrasively

When brushing your teeth, only a light scrubbing with a soft bristled toothbrush is needed to remove plaque. Brushing too abrasively can wear down enamel and while wearing braces, it can damage brackets or wires.

 

Daily Sweet Tooth

Do you have a sweet tooth? Sugar leads to cavities so eating too much of it daily can really affect your teeth. If you drink pop every day, especially, consider cutting down. Not only is pop filled with sugar, but is also often has acid that can lead to the wear-down of enamel.

Wearing braces should be a healthy experience for your teeth so they are in great shape when the braces come off. To schedule an appointment at Alta Loma Dental Care in our Alta Loma, CA office, call us at (909) 987-6268 or visit our website, www.altalomadentalcare.com.