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Braces that straighten your teeth requires a degree of care and maintenance. There are two types of braces you can get at your dentist’s office — metal and Invisalign braces. The former uses metal wires and brackets, the latter is made of sheer almost invisible 3D-printed plastic.

The dentist would tell you how to care for your teeth with metal or Invisalign braces, but if you’re still considering getting braces, here’s how to care for your teeth with them.

Metal Braces

To care for metal braces, avoid using mouthwash with dyes that can stain your metal braces. When brushing your teeth, use a soft-bristle brush to avoid shifting or damaging the wires and brackets, and brush after every meal to remove food particles that may have been stuck in the wires and brackets. Rinsing and flossing throughout the day help ensure no food particles remain in between teeth and in other hard to reach places. As for dietary changes, choose foods that keep your teeth and bones strong and those that don’t threaten to break your metal braces. Avoid hard nuts, tough meats, and sticky peanut butter, to name a few.

Invisalign Braces

These braces are removable and make them very low-maintenance, and makes caring for your teeth much easier. You need to take the trays out before eating or drinking and put them back afterward after you have brushed and removed any remaining food particles in your mouth. You also have to rinse the Invisalign braces before putting them back on.

As for brushing habits, you can brush as you normally would and floss regularly. Clean your trays using the Invisalign cleaning system — place the trays in their tub with cleaning crystals. Do this daily. Bacteria builds up in your mouth overnight, so when you wake up in the morning, clean your Invisalign trays separately. Do the same thing before you go to sleep. Avoid using toothpaste and mouthwash that can stain your Invisalign braces, usually the colored and fragrant ones have dyes that can leave discoloration.

Metal or Invisalign Braces — Which one is right for you?

An orthodontist will determine which type of braces are better for you. Dr. Ernie Soto, an orthodontist in Plantation, Florida, will examine your teeth and jaw and take X-rays of them. Dr. Soto has advanced training in orthodontics and makes the most advanced teeth straightening options available to his patients. As part of the comprehensive dental service you will receive in his clinic, Dr. Soto will also educate you on how to care for your teeth while wearing braces and recommend regular visits to his clinic for professional teeth cleaning.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Soto, call our clinic at (954) 368-6264 or request an appointment online now. We believe high-quality dental care should be available to everyone, which is why we offer special financing to our patients through CareCredit® and LendingUSA. Take advantage of this now!