When it comes to taking care of your teeth and braces, taking care of them during orthodontic treatment is extremely important.
After eating, teeth and braces are the ideal breeding ground for bacteria and if you aren’t careful to brush and floss your teeth regularly during treatment, you will be left with white marks on your teeth and decay, as well as swollen and bleeding gums. It is imperative to clean your teeth and braces immediately after every meal, drink and even snack.
Do I still need to see a dentist?
When undergoing orthodontic treatment, many people tend to forgo visiting their regular dentist. You should actually visit your dentist every six months for a check-up and thorough cleaning to ensure that you keep your teeth in the best health.
Even in the best circumstances, it’s not always possible to keep your teeth spotless when you have braces. Make sure to keep regular appointments with your general dentist and hygienist, who have the tools and experience to professionally clean your teeth while working around your braces. By taking good care of your teeth and braces, you can reduce the risk of unnecessary damage, which can result in costly repair charges. You can also ensure that your teeth will be healthy and free of decay when you have your braces removed to reveal a flawless smile.
Doing your part
A successful orthodontic treatment and a healthy and beautiful smile will require a team effort between you and your orthodontist. As the patient, you play the main role. It’s up to you to ensure that your treatment plan ends successfully. Most importantly, you must keep your teeth clean and maintain good dental hygiene while you’re wearing braces. Proper dental care will take a little extra time and effort but the results are well worth it, and will help you enjoy the best possible smile from your orthodontic treatment.
How to brush your teeth with braces
We recommend that you use Colgate Total due to the antibacterial ingredient. Brushing is important with or without braces but is especially vital when undergoing orthodontic treatment. Use a toothbrush with a soft head to access those hard to reach places or an electric toothbrush if you prefer. Begin by brushing at the gum line of your teeth, holding the brush at a 45 degree angle towards your gums. Once you’ve cleaned the gum line you can hold your toothbrush at a downward angle on the top of your brackets and then at an upward angle to clean the bottom of your brackets. Without braces, brushing is recommended twice a day but with, you should ideally brush after every meal. Keeping a toothbrush and toothpaste in a bag can help you maintain this oral hygiene.
How to floss with braces
We recommend Oral-B SuperFloss for braces which comes in pre-cut strands. Flossing can be a pain but it needs to happen as it helps to remove any plaque build-up as well as small food particles that may still be stuck between your teeth or in your braces. Floss threaders for braces do also make the task far easier as they can help you manoeuvre around your brackets.
Do I need to avoid certain foods?
There are a handful of foods that are off-limits when wearing fixed braces. You will be given a full list of foods to avoid when undergoing treatment but a good rule of thumb is to try to avoid anything that is chewy, sticky, crunchy or hard. Nail biting and the chewing of backs of pens will also need to stop as these habits and foods can break or bend the braces. It is also a good idea to avoid or at least cut down on sugary foods and drinks which can cause staining and decay around your brackets. These stains can become permanent and will be highly visible once the braces are removed. Going through the ordeal of wearing braces means that you should and will most likely want to do everything you can to ensure that you get the best results.
If you are considering orthodontic treatment, then contact Smart Smile Ballina today to book an appointment so that we can help you on your journey to beautiful teeth.
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