Having braces can sometimes feel like a burden, but this small inconvenience can lead to long lasting benefits. That is, if you take the time to properly care for them. Here are the top things to consider when caring for your braces.

Brush, Floss, Repeat

Good oral hygiene is important for everybody, but it is crucial in keeping your braces—and the teeth under them—in the best shape possible. It is best to brush after every meal, but sometimes life gets in the way of that. Do your best to at least stick to a twice a day routine that includes:

• 2 minutes of brushing. Try to get around and under the wires as much as possible.
• Floss every tooth. It may be tedious, but it's necessary. Push the floss under the wire between every tooth.
• Use a wire brush. Your orthodontic specialist will give you a special wire brush to help clean under the wires and brackets. Don't skip this step, as plaque can build up in those hard-to-reach places.
• Rinse for one minute with mouthwash.

Watch What You Eat

Cutting out foods can be hard for anyone, but it's essential for those with braces. Here are a few rules of thumb when it comes to eating with braces:

• No bubble gum. Gum and other chewy foods such as taffy or caramel will easily get stuck to the braces and is a pain to get off.
• Hard foods. Food that is either hard in consistency or difficult to bite into can damage your braces. Avoid hard candies and cut large items like apples into small, bite-sized pieces.
• Limit sugar and coffee intake. Foods like coffee and tea can stain your teeth and leave you with odd tooth coloration after the braces are removed. Sugary drinks such as soda can have a similar effect and can often lead to cavities.

Protect Your Mouth

Though there's very little risk involved with braces damaging your teeth, there is a possibility the metal in your mouth may injure the surrounding areas if you're not careful.

Playing contact sports can be dangerous if your have braces and don't take precautionary measures. A mouth guard should be worn during any activity that has the potential for facial contact to protect your lips and gums from your braces.

Braces can also irritate your lips on a daily basis. Braces wearers tend to have much more chapped lips than the average person, so it's important to keep a good, strong lip balm around at all times. Braces may also rub against the inside of the lips and cause canker sores. If this happens, visit your orthodontist to receive an ointment to relieve pain and swelling.

Having braces can seem like a pain, but the long term results of a beautiful, straight smile are well worth the wait. Make sure you do your best to keep your braces in tiptop shape so you can make the most of your new smile. Contact a company like Boland Orthodontics for more information.