If you are wearing braces, you should know how food can easily get trapped inside the crevices and small spaces in your braces, elastics and bands. Therefore, it is very important that you exercise proper oral hygiene to remove all the particles, plaque and bacteria that can get trapped. Remember that it is these minute enemies that lead to cavities, tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath. The reason you put on braces is to have straight beautiful teeth. You wouldn't want straight teeth that is filled with tooth decay, would you?

Here are some tips to help you keep those healthy teeth and beautiful smile even if you are wearing braces:

Brush your teeth well and floss every after each meal or snack. It is important that you brush your teeth as often as you can. There is no such thing as too much brushing if you have braces. When you use a toothbrush, try to hold it at a 45-degree angle and brush in circular motion, setting about 10 seconds for each tooth. You can ask your orthodontist for some advice on which toothbrush to use. Flossing is just as important. It removes the food debris trapped in between your teeth. Also, it is best to floss in between wires to make sure there are no trapped particles in between. You should consider buying an interproximal brush which is designed to slip under your arch wires and remove possible food particles trapped in between.

Use fluoride toothpaste. Go for toothpaste that has about 3% to 6% fluoride content. Fluoride is effective in preventing tooth decay.

Visit your orthodontist regularly. To be sure you get the straight teeth that you want according to the schedule the orthodontist plans, you should have your braces cleaned by your dentist every 3 to 6 months. It is important that you never miss your orthodontic appointments. Skipping them will run you the risk of developing teeth and gum problems and failing to remedy them right away. This can prolong your treatment.

Eat right and put only the right things into your mouth. Never eat hard and overly crunchy foods, as well as sticky and chewy ones. Go for a balanced diet that does not include food items which may accidentally break your braces. If you want the straight teeth with best results, make sure you follow this strictly.

The key to successfully having the straight teeth in the least time possible is to follow all the instructions your orthodontist gives you. You should strictly follow an established a routine to clean your braces and maintain them in the proper way.