Take 5: Straight Talk About Braces | Oceanside Dental Excellence

Hello, I’m Drs. Stephen and Kimberly Dankworth at Oceanside Dental Excellence. I support healthy oral hygiene and regular, consistent check-ups. Hygiene for braces is a bit different.

Here are five critical concerns to keep in mind with braces:

1. Be Careful What You Eat
Sweets and extra food stuck in hard-to-notice spaces may lead to plaque and yellowing around the appliances in your mouth. Avoid sweets, juices, sodas, anything that will stain your teeth. Also, sticky things like gum and caramel can break the equipment in your mouth.

2. Consider a Mouthguard
Sports are the center of life for many Oceanside families. We’re an active community. I love that. A quality mouthguard provides important protection for both your teeth and braces.

3. Take Time for Gum Health
Maintaining healthy gums requires deliberate brushing and flossing. In the past, two minutes of quality brushing was acceptable. Braces are trickier to clean. What’s another minute to make sure every nook and cranny is taken care of?

4. Check the Mirrors
Humans are exceptional at noticing flaws. Check your smile often in a mirror to keep your braces free of obvious food particles.

5. Smile with Confidence
At first, people will notice the change in your smile. But if you’re relaxed about your new braces, soon your friends will simply look past them without even noticing.

Thanks for visiting my blog today, hope it helps.

I’ve been treating patients in Vista, Fallbrook, Camp Pendleton, and beyond since 2018. You name it – dental implants, sedation dentistry, cosmetic dentistry—we do it.

Meet with me today and we can go over the possibilities and uncomplicated options to meet your needs. Can’t wait to see you!