Daily Orthodontic Check List

If you have braces, you may be counting the days until they come off! But, until that time, there are things you should do each and every day to help make your brace-journey easier.?

Help keep your braces intact and your smile on track with our daily checklist:

?4 is the magic number:
?Brush your teeth FOUR times each day — breakfast, lunch, dinner and bedtime.

?Floss:
?Help remove food particles from between the teeth in places the brush cannot access by flossing each night before bed.

?Watch what you eat:
?Avoid gum, popcorn, caramel and ice. Remember — hard, crunchy, chewy or sticky foods lead to certain destruction for braces!

?Water is best:
Soft drinks and sports drinks can quench your thirst, but their contents can damage teeth. Enjoy them in moderation and rinse with water or brush after drinking to get rid of the sugar and acid.

?Wear a Mouth Guard:
Whether on the soccer field, or rollerblading in the park, a properly fitting mouth guard can reduce the chance of even the most common dental injuries by up to 60 times.

?Need a brace-friendly mouth guard? Contact your local AO office and we’ll give you one!

BONUS TIP...

Don’t forget the dentist: Visiting the dentist every six months is great advice for everyone... especially if you are wearing braces! Even though all orthodontists are dentists, and those wearing braces are being seen more frequently by their orthodontist, the need for dental visits should not be overlooked.Related Articles:Got Braces? Don’t Forget to Visit the Dentist“Bracing” for SchoolMouth Guards: Protect Your SmileSoft Drinks and Your Teeth — a Bad Combination