Taking care of your teeth while fitted with braces
Getting braces is the solution to creating an aesthetic smile. However, crooked and overcrowded mouths are far more difficult to keep clean and healthy, which mean that you will need to up your oral hygiene routine in order to protect your teeth from decay, staining, and gum disease. You will also now need to be careful about not damaging your braces through eating certain foods, the way you brush your teeth and when playing sports.
How much do you need to brush your teeth with braces?
When not fitted with orthodontics, the recommended standard oral care entails brushing twice a day and flossing once. Once braces have been fitted, you will need to brush your teeth after each and every meal, no matter how small. This is due to the fact that food particles easily become trapped in the braces and the longer they remain there, the greater your risk of developing dental problems.
How to brush your teeth with braces?
When it comes to bushing you can choose either a soft toothbrush with a round bristled or an electric toothbrush if that is more suitable.
- Begin by rinsing your mouth out with water to dislodge any food that is stuck in and around your braces
- Brush each tooth at the gum line both above and below your brackets
- Brush the gum line first with the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle
- Then clean the brackets by brushing at a downward angle on top of the brackets and at an upward angle at the bottom of the brackets
- Rinse your mouth again once you have completed brushing
Other cleaning methods
Along with brushing after every single meal, it is also in your best interest to floss at least once a day. Floss threaders and interdental flossers, as well as waxed floss, can make this job far easier.
When flossing you need to ensure to do so between the braces as well as under the wires. Another option for the harder to reach spaces is an oral irrigator which uses a stream of pulsating water to remove plaque and food debris. Rinsing with a mouthwash can also help to kill any bacteria missed by brushing and flossing
Watch what you eat
Wearing braces will also mean that you need to be a little more wary of what you eat. You will need to avoid eating too many sugary and starchy foods as they can result in plaque build-up around the brackets which can lead to staining of the teeth, cavities or even gum disease.
You will also need to avoid foods that can damage your braces which include chewy and sticky foods like caramel and gum as well as hard foods like ice, nuts, raw carrots and apples. Their hard texture can damage your wires which not only increases your risk of injury but can also be costly to fix. When eating the crunchier foods, cut them into smaller, bite-sized pieces to avoid damage.
Pro tips
- If you do find yourself stuck with no toothbrush after eating a meal, make a quick trip to the bathroom and vigorously rinse your mouth out with water or mouthwash and brush as soon as possible
- If your wires are hurting the inside of your lips, simply place the special wax on them to reduce the pain and keep it from happening. You can find specialty wax from a pharmacy or your orthodontist
- Wear a mouthguard if you are playing sports to protect your cheeks and lips from injury as well as preventing damage to your orthodontic appliance
- Use a fluoride mouthwash after brushing to prevent cavities and white spots
Visit the dentist
Just because you are seeing the orthodontist regularly, does not mean that you should not be visiting the dentist. When you are fitted with braces, it is actually more important to visit the dentist regularly so that they can examine your teeth for any plaque build-up, decay or other issues. Remember that your orthodontist and dentist have two very different roles and as long as you continue to brush and floss regularly, you can keep them both happy!
If you have any questions about keeping your braces clean or would like to book an appointment with Smart Smile Ortho, just call 1300 2 BRACES or contact us here.
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