Having bad breath is common when you have braces, especially because food tends to get stuck in the bands, brackets, and wires of your appliance. However, you don’t have to suffer from bad breath if you don’t want to. So, to help you keep your breath fresh and pristine when you have braces in Fontana, California, our Southridge Dental Group dental team encourages you to do the following things:

Brush your teeth: It is strongly recommended that you brush your teeth after each meal and snack. Doing so will help you free the food particles that are stuck in your smile and it will help eliminate the odor. As you brush, make sure you use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. After you brush, scrub your tongue for a cleaner and fresher breath.

Floss your smile: Sometimes your toothbrush doesn’t remove every food particle from your smile, which is why flossing is also recommended. If you floss after each meal and snack, you will remove the food and plaque that reside between your teeth.

Use mouthwash: Mouthwash will complete the cleaning job and it will give you the fresh breath you are looking for. Try to rinse at least once a day and use a rinse that your dentist or orthodontist recommends. That way your oral health and your orthodontic appliance will remain safe.

For more information about bad breath, which is also known as halitosis, call Southridge Dental Group now at 909-822-9090 and talk to a member of our caring dental team. If the bad breath doesn’t go away once you improve your oral hygiene, please schedule an appointment with your dentist, Dr. Sanjay Merchant, so he can find the root of the problem. We look forward to hearing from you!