Braces give the result of a beautiful smile while making sure your smile remains a healthy one. An important part of orthodontic treatment is proper oral care. Braces raise the probability of plaque buildup because the brackets and wires draw food debris and form a shelf around the outside of teeth that makes them more difficult to clean. Plaque can severely stain teeth and wear out tooth enamel.
Follow These Tips for Brushing Your Teeth With Braces
Soft Bristled Toothbrush.
Cleaning the top part of your teeth between your brackets and gums is important. To correctly clean the enamel, toothbrush bristles should touch the gums. Use a brush with softer bristles to avoid irritating them and point the brush at an angle toward the gums.
Brush Your Teeth After Every Meal.
Brace wires attract food debris, and brushing will help prevent plaque build-up. We suggest carrying a travel toothbrush. You can also rinse with water toothpaste is not available. An exception is brushing after having acidic foods. You should wait 30 minutes to an hour before brushing after eating acidic foods because doing so can soften tooth enamel.
Not Much Toothpaste Needed.
The foam of toothpaste can make it harder to see plaque and debris. Begin brushing your teeth with only a damp toothbrush, allowing you to clean around the brackets and between wires. Instead of scrubbing, use a clear, picking movement. Then, add a small amount of toothpaste and continue cleaning.
Brush For Atleast Two Minutes
Spend 30 seconds cleaning every part of your mouth. Clean both the outer and inner sides of teeth slowly for 2 minutes. Set a timer to make sure you brush for complete two minutes.
Floss Threader Or Waterpik
One of the hardest parts of tooth care in braces is flossing. Tying floss with a threader will make it more effortless to drive it through the wire. Use a saw-like movement to eradicate more plaque. Also, consider buying a Waterpik water flosser. It washes away the plaque with a stream of water which is a quick &, easy floss process.
Use Mouthwash Before Sleeping
Look for an anti-cavity, fluoride mouthwash that will lower tooth decay and protect enamel. Rinsing for one minute will help get rid of any leftover debris. After you rinse, check in the mirror for any neglected places.
How Often Is Better To Brush Your Teeth With Braces?
It is a good idea to brush more often when you have orthodontic braces on. Whenever feasible, brush your teeth after every meal or snack. It is also easy to carry a toothbrush in your purse or backpack. If you can’t brush, the next best thing you can do is to rinse your mouth with water to eliminate any food particles stuck in your brackets. Also, make sure to brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day, especially, at night.
Learn Proper Braces Care from Lakeridge Orthodontics
At Lakeridge Orthodontics we have seen patients who suffer from the results of poor dental hygiene while wearing braces. That is why we stress the significance of braces care, particularly proper brushing, and flossing practices. By taking good care of your teeth while you are wearing braces, your smile will be even better & beautiful when you get your braces off.
When you have orthodontic braces on it becomes crucial to clean your teeth twice a day for better results. Our Woodbridge orthodontist can help you guide you to the right path on how to take care of your teeth & clean them with braces. Contact us today to schedule a braces consultation or request an appointment.