One of the most frustrating things about wearing braces is the amount of food that gets lodged between your brackets and your teeth. If you wear clear braces, this can be an even bigger problem because food won't blend in with the wires at all. However, with a few tricks up your sleeve, you can be more confident that your clear braces won't expose your last meal.

Tip #1: Stock up on Floss Picks for On-The-Go Cleaning

The best way to keep your teeth sparkling clean when on-the-go is to stash a handful of orthodontic floss picks in your purse, a desk drawer, or glove box. Put them anywhere that you have easy access to so you're more likely to reach for one. Between meals and during work breaks, you can touch up your teeth with these picks designed specifically for braces wearers. Orthodontic floss picks have 3 components for a comprehensive cleaning:

• A Flexible Pick: The first thing you should do to clean your braces is insert the flexible pick into the spaces between your teeth and your bands. The flexible pick will gently dislodge large pieces of food so they are easier to remove while flossing.
• The Flosser: The flosser is specially designed so it not only fits between your teeth to clean them, but slides down inside your braces, as well. This ensures that you clean all the way to your gums. This is also an important step in preventing cavities while wearing braces, so make sure you floss both front and back teeth.
• A Sturdy Pick: Lastly, use the sturdy pick to go back over each space between brackets. This will eliminate any small, stubborn bits of your lunch that were left behind. When you're finished, rinse your mouth out with water.

Tip #2 Use a Water Flosser for In-Home Cleaning

When you're not on the go, you can spend a little more time and effort cleaning out your clear braces. For this part of your routine, consider water flossing. In addition to preventing unsightly buildup, water flossing successfully removes plaque from your teeth. Using dental floss is still effective, but it is more time-consuming and you have to be careful not to wrap the floss around your brackets wrong or you could damage them. Water flossers, on the other hand, have 4 elements that are complementary to braces wearers:

• Cleans Braces Gently: Water flossing is a gentle process that won't irritate already sore gums. If your teeth are overly sensitive because of your braces, this method will help them heal without causing new problems.
• Cleans Both Gums and Teeth: Water flossing decreases the risk of gum disease by ensuring that food and bacteria are washed off. It's like picking and flossing rolled into one because it gets between your teeth, gums, and brackets while simultaneously rinsing off food.
• Provides 360 Degree Cleaning: The "pick" that water flows from can be adjusted to any angle necessary for better cleaning. You can clean retainers, teeth, and brackets by coming at them from different angles and giving them a thorough rinse.
• Offers Variable Water Pressure: You can also adjust the water's pressure level, so you can decrease the pressure when your gums are sore and increase the pressure when they aren't bothering you as much. If you have an obstinate piece of food in your mouth, you can increase the pressure and get it out.

Many adults prefer clear braces despite the fact that it is easier to see when food is stuck in them. Utilize the above flossing tips so your braces remain concealed, your teeth remain healthy, and your smile remains confident. Go to sites for dental clinics in your area that offer clear braces to learn more about getting clear braces and keeping your teeth healthy throughout the process.