Braces are great appliances that can help you have the perfect smile you deserve. While you are wearing braces, however, you will want to care for your smile to avoid problems, as this may increase treatment time. To stay on track toward your perfect smile and to keep your oral health in tip-top shape, our Corsa Orthodontics orthodontic team encourages you to do all you can to avoid these dental issues.

-Tooth decay: Because your smile can be tricky to clean when you have braces, food particles and plaque can stay trapped in your smile and promote cavities. This is why it’s so important to properly clean your smile each and every day. It’s also best to brush and floss after each meal and snack so you can prevent this dental issue.

-Gum disease: Again, because your smile can be tricky to clean when you have braces, the plaque on your teeth won’t be removed on a regular basis. When the plaque resides for a long period of time, it can irritate the gums. After some time, the plaque can turn into tartar and can infect your smile, creating severe gum disease.

-Sensitivity: Your teeth will usually feel sensitive when you have braces. This is because your smile isn’t used to having braces cemented to it. The sensitivity might also be caused by enamel erosion or gingivitis. So, to help with this issue, you can use fluoride or desensitizing toothpaste every time you brush.

-Bad breath: If you don’t clean your smile on a regular basis, the food particles that get trapped can start to cause bad breath. This can be prevented if you clean your teeth and tongue often and rinse your mouth with mouthwash.

If you keep up on oral hygiene and visit your dentist regularly for professional teeth cleaning treatments, you’ll be on the right track toward a healthy and beautiful smile. To learn more about how to avoid dental issues when you have braces in San Jose, California, please call our office today at 408-997-7772. Your orthodontist, Dr. Christopher Corsa, and our team are happy to help you!