How to Avoid Bad Breath with Braces

Bad breath is always a potential worry, whether you have braces or not. At Choonara Orthodontics, our team is here to help you find solutions to your concerns and ways to prevent future issues. Our Johannesburg orthodontist, Dr. Sahide Choonara, proudly provides orthodontic treatment to the Johannesburg and Sandton areas. Check out a few of our tips to avoid bad breath with braces and reach out to schedule an appointment with a trusted orthodontist.

Maintain A Good Oral Hygiene Routine

With metal braces or clear braces, it is critical to make sure you keep up good oral hygiene practices. Your routine may take a bit more time and effort than it did without braces, but prioritizing orthodontic care can help prevent bad breath, cavities, and gum disease. Check out our general tips at Choonara Orthodontics for quality brushing and flossing practices. Once you've begun orthodontic care, make sure you're incorporating tools to get in between and underneath your braces, like dental floss threaders and proxy brushes. Adding breath-freshening mouthwash to your routine can be of great help as well. We'd specifically recommend using an antibacterial mouthwash to eliminate the bacteria that leads to bad breath.

Don't Forget Water!

If you can, incorporate a water pick into your personal cleaning routine to shoot water between your teeth. If this isn't practical for your situation, drinking plenty of water every day can still do a tremendous amount to keep your teeth clean and your breath fresh. Water can help loosen or get rid of any food stuck between your teeth or around the various parts of your braces. Aim to drink 6 to 8 glasses of water every day and avoid sugary drinks like sodas or juices. The more water your drink, the less likely you are to leave traces of food behind that will create or exacerbate bad breath.

Check What You're Eating

While there definitely are some foods to avoid to prevent yourself from damaging your braces, there are plenty of other foods that may be impacting your breath negatively as well. Brushing your teeth and using mouthwash can help, but often they simply mask the smell of whatever you just ate. Foods like strong smelling cheese and garlic may impact your breath until they leave your body, so your best bet is to curb the intake of smellier foods if you're considerably concerned about your breath.

Schedule An Appointment With Your Sandton Orthodontist!

The most effective way to avoid or address bad breath when you have braces is to make sure you have regular checkups with your dentist and orthodontist. These visits can help clarify whether or not your bad breath is a symptom of another condition, such as dry mouth. Professional cleanings make it easier to keep up your overall tooth health. Choonara Orthodontics is ready to help you with all of your orthodontic needs. Fill out our easy, online appointment request form or give us a call at (011) 678-8090 to schedule an appointment with an orthodontist. Our team happily provides service to the Johannesburg and Sandton areas. We can't wait to meet you and your family!