Here are our top tips to maintain a healthy smile and keep your teeth and gums in shape. We recommend making sure you keep up good oral hygiene if you want to avoid oral health issues. You should be brushing your teeth twice a day and around half an hour after eating. Brushing your teeth, tongue and gums is important to clean plaque off and remove food debris. Brushing is crucial if you have braces, so you can ensure a successful orthodontic treatment. It’s recommended to brush for a total of 2 minutes, making sure to brush each individual tooth with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Flossing daily is also a vital part to anyone’s oral healthcare routine and should not be avoided. Properly flossing removes food debris from where the toothbrush cannot reach, such as between teeth and braces. Flushing your mouth out with water after eating or drinking is important, as it removes excess sugars, food debris and acids from your teeth and gums. We also recommend you use a fluoride mouthwash daily as this kills bacteria and helps strengthen your teeth. Mouthwash can be used with braces and is recommended to maintain a fresh healthy mouth and breath. The biggest struggle is eating healthier foods when you love your sweet treats and high sugar content products. Resisting the urge is important, as sweet treats only cause tooth decay, cavities and staining of the teeth. Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet that involves enough fruits, grains, vegetables, dairy, poultry and meat is recommended. This diet is important for not only your oral health, but also for your overall body health. However, if you are undergoing orthodontic treatment, you take care and know what you can and can’t eat. Sugar is the biggest enemy to your teeth, because the bacteria within plaque feeds on sugar to create acids which eat through the protective layer of your teeth, known as enamel. The issue is, once your enamel is destroyed, it cannot be restored. However, damaged enamel can be repaired by fluoride products. So do your best to avoid wearing your enamel down by overindulging on sugary products. Taking trips to your dentist every 6 months or more often if required, is important if you would like to maintain good oral health. The dentist will professionally clean your teeth and gums and make sure you have no oral issues. The dentist is able to discover more than the human eye can see, for example, the dentist can examine the backside of your teeth and use x-rays to take a more in-depth scan. Further, the dentist can also recommend oral healthcare tips based on your situation. At Simply Orthodontics, we offer a range of orthodontic treatments ranging from early treatments, braces and Invisalign clear aligners. Our friendly practices are located in Sydenham, Sunbury and Horsham; all located in Victoria. For more information on orthodontics, what we offer or to book an appointment with our friendly orthodontist, please click here.