Keeping Your Mouth Healthy With Braces in Chicago, IL

Braces Hygiene

While braces can completely transform an individual’s smile, it is important to note that they require some special attention. While it will require some extra effort, keeping your braces, teeth, and gums clean during the orthodontic treatment process will ensure your braces have a negative impact on your oral health. While your orthodontist will do everything they can to clean your braces in-office, there are plenty of steps you can take at home to make sure they remain clean.

Special Care After Eating

While brushing and flossing after eating would be optimal, it may be unrealistic to carry the necessary supplies with you wherever you go. Additionally, it’s hard to find the motivation to brush and floss after every meal (and especially snacks). However, something as simple as rinsing your mouth with water or mouthwash can be very helpful in removing little bits of food and gunk before they get stuck in the brackets and wires.

Floss, Floss, and Floss

Flossing is vital for gum health, but when you have braces in place, it becomes even more important. Flossing removes little bits of food and plaque that tend to accumulate between the brackets and your teeth. These areas are simply too hard to reach with the bristles of your tooth brush. There is special floss available for those who have braces as well.

Braces Floos

Avoid Certain Foods

We’re always here to assist with whatever braces-related problems arise, but it’s easier to simply avoid foods that tend to cause trouble in the first place. Chewy, crunchy, hard, or sticky foods are to be avoided. These include popcorn, hard candy, gum, hard pretzels, corn on the cob, and licorice. Nevertheless, if you accidentally get something stuck in the wire, or something too crunchy ends up breaking a bracket, we are always available to help.

Brush the Right Way

Always brush your teeth at least twice daily, and make sure to employ the correct techniques. Begin by brushing for a solid 2-5 minutes with an American Dental Association (ADA) fluoride toothpaste, carefully focusing on each tooth, especially in between the brackets where food particles tend to get stuck.

Brush the outward facing and inward facing surfaces of your teeth, as well as along the gum line where plaque tends to build up – always holding your brush at a 45-degree angle. Follow up by using an ADA approved mouthwash to disinfect your mouth and to reach the areas brushing simply can’t.

Lippitz Orthodontics

If you are searching for a highly skilled orthodontist in Highland Park, Glencoe, or anywhere else in the Chicago area, Lippitz Orthodontics offers the experience and reputation for excellence you are looking for. We invite you to give us a call with any questions you may have, and make sure to check back here for Part Two of this series.

Orthodontist Dr Stefen Lippitz of Lippitz Orthodontics serves greater Chicago

About the Author

Dr. Stefen Lippitz is a respected orthodontist who practices in Chicago, Northbrook and Glencoe. With over 25 years of experience he specializes in creating smiles that boost his patients’ confidence. He earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Illinois Chicago. Holds a Master of Science in Orthodontics from the University of Iowa. Dr. Lippitz’s dedication to his field is evident through his pursuit of knowledge actively engaging with the PRIMUS Study Group and sharing his expertise as a lecturer at his alma mater. Inspired by his father’s career in orthodontics, Dr. Lippitz is truly passionate about improving the well-being of his patients.

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7070 N. Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60645

(773) 508-5588

1500 Shermer Rd. #100
Northbrook, IL 60062

(847) 562-8858

650 Vernon Ave
Glencoe, IL 60022

(847) 835-3200