The holiday season is in full swing! Here are some tips for maintaining a healthy holiday smile!

Most people see an upswing in gatherings and events to attend during the holiday season. It’s easy to slip into bad oral care habits when faced with tables full of tempting holiday treats. Read these tips for ways to protect the smile you’re working so hard to achieve.

Brush Before You Indulge

Brush your teeth about an hour ahead of time before enjoying a cup of holiday punch. This keeps colored liquid from attaching to the plaque on your teeth. Savor your drinks without worrying about stains on your teeth while you’re mingling.

Use The Right Tools For The Job

We often use out teeth as a handy substitute for various jobs. Instead of cracking open nuts with your teeth or using them to open gifts, make sure you have a nutcracker or scissors on hand to use. This prevents chipped teeth or broken brackets from your braces.

Make It A Family Affair

Have some fun getting your family through their nightly oral care routine. Sing songs and makeup games to accompany each step. Get any guests staying over to join in on the fun!

Watch Your Sweet Tooth

The magic of the holidays doesn’t make the damage that sugar does to your teeth any less potent. Brush your teeth right after if you can’t resist having one more slice of chocolate cake. Be sure to floss and clean your braces as well.

Keep Up With Appointments

Don’t let your holiday fun interfere with your regular dental visits. Let your orthodontist make sure everything’s the way it should be. Call them immediately if something loosens or breaks off.

Prepare for the holidays by scheduling an appointment with Schmitt Orthodontics today! Henderson, NC residents can call us at (252) 492-6628.

How can you have great oral hygiene with braces?

Taking care of braces is much more difficult than taking care of teeth. This is because braces have countless tiny spaces that trap food. The trapped food particles, in turn, causes plaque, which leads to dental decay and cavities. Therefore, it is important to brush your teeth after every meal, rinse with mouthwash and floss your teeth and braces at least once a day.

Although it seems tedious, it is something that both a parent and the child should prepare for. Below are tips to help you have great dental hygiene with braces on.

How to Have Great Oral Hygiene with Braces

1. Brushing And Flossing

The main dental care for braces is brushing and flossing.

Prepare to brush by taking off elastics and any other removable parts of your orthodontic appliance.
Clean your braces. Brush the top of each wire down to the bottom by holding your brush at a 45-degree angle.
Brush your teeth by cleaning each tooth individually.
Floss once a day
Rinse and check your teeth
Professional care by visiting a Dentist or an Orthodontist at least once a month

2. Visit The Orthodontist Regularly

You need to visit the orthodontist regularly for adjustments to your appliance. Note that you might experience some tightness or pain due to the adjustments. Consult your orthodontist if the discomfort or pain does not go away or becomes extreme.

3. Buy Oral Care Products For Brace Care

There are a number of products that can help you take care of your braces. These include Oral-B electric toothbrush heads, which are made specifically for braces, Oral-B threader floss that can maneuver around your wires and Crest, toothpaste that kills germs in spaces between your braces.

These products will not do all the work for you but they certainly help.

Visit Schmitt Orthodontics For Brace Care

Remember that proper oral care is the key to always having a beautiful, healthy smile. If you need help with fitting or cleaning your braces, please book an appointment with a Schmitt Orthodontics expert.

Dental Hygiene