If you were recently fitted with clear braces so the appliances would be less noticeable, you may wonder if there is anything you can do to keep them clean. If so, use the following tips to keep your braces and brackets stain-free and virtually invisible.

Brush Your Teeth To Accommodate The Braces

While you probably already know to brush your teeth frequently to keep your braces clean, you should also learn the proper way to brush to accommodate your new braces. When brushing your teeth, you not only need to keep the surface of the braces clean but also the underside of the brackets to prevent food buildup and possible staining and tooth decay.

Whenever you brush your teeth, first turn the bristles downward along the top of the braces to reach the crevice between your enamel and the brackets. Then, turn the brush upward to reach the bottom portion. After you are finished, brush your teeth as usual.

Rinse Your Mouth After Drinking Certain Beverages

Ideally, you should minimize your intake of beverages that could stain your braces, such as coffee, tea, and dark fruit juices. However, if you simply cannot go without your morning coffee, get into the habit of rinsing your mouth out with salt water immediately after enjoying your drink.

The salt in the water helps pull any residual coffee or juice from the braces, keeping it from staining the surface. After rinsing with a teaspoon of salt mixed with a quarter cup of water, also try to brush your teeth.

Stop Smoking Cigarettes

If you smoke cigarettes, you should seriously consider stopping for the sake of your teeth and overall health. Along with the many health problems associated with smoking, the nicotine and tar can wreak havoc on your tooth enamel, as well as the material from which your clear braces are made.

The tar not only stains the braces, but it can build up around the outside of your brackets. Once the brackets are removed, the ring of tar that formed around them will remain on your teeth. These rings will leave a permanent stain that must be professionally cleaned and whitened to remove.

Using the above tips can help you keep your clear braces and the brackets stain-free and clean. However, if you have any questions or concerns, you may want to contact your dentist to see what additional advice they have to offer.