Oral Hygiene with Braces
Since you can still be at risk for periodontal disease while your teeth are being aligned, it’s very important to take care of your teeth and braces during the alignment process. With so many nooks and crannies, it’s very important to keep an even closer eye on your dental health.
Here are some important tips to follow:
Brush with fluoride toothpaste and be sure to replace your toothbrush every two months, especially while wearing braces (usually it’s every 3-4 months but the wear from the metal brackets affects the bristles). Be sure to brush after every meal and before bed.
Floss once a day. Seems like an impossible task? There are a few tools you can use: The main one is using waxed floss with a floss threader. You simply thread floss through the open end and gently slide the threader underneath the wire to floss. Another tool to use is a water flosser. These flush out bacteria and food debris around the gums and in the small spaces of the teeth and braces. Make sure to use waxed floss as this will be less likely to catch on your braces.
Attend your biannual dental checkup with your dentist. They will check for any problems with your smile and give you a professional cleaning. And, of course, be sure to attend all of your scheduled orthodontic appointments.
Use mouthwash to prevent decalcification (white spots on the teeth) or demineralization (acids left on the teeth that break down the bone). Our team can prescribe a mouth rinse that will best suit your needs.
For more oral care tips, give us a call to get more information on how you can take care of your oral health while wearing braces. Again, we stress the importance of taking care of your teeth while wearing braces, so if you have any questions please contact us.