Taking care of your teeth can become a little trickier once you have braces. They tend to trap food within them due to the large amount of small spaces for food to get stuck. This can increase the amount of plaque created in the mouth, which contributes to a multitude of dental issues.
It is very important to maintain good oral hygiene while you have braces, but how do you do that? Here at Dentrix Dental, we have created a helpful guide for how to keep your oral health in top condition while you have braces.
1. Make Sure to Brush and Floss
You will have to be more careful when brushing and flossing with braces. Before you brush, make sure you take off all elastics and other removable parts of your braces. Clean your braces by holding the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle. Make sure to take your time and clean the top and bottom of all wires.
After cleaning the hardware, brush your teeth. Clean each tooth one by one by holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and moving the brush in a circular motion starting at the gum line. Be sure to brush both the fronts and backs of all teeth.
Flossing should be done once a day. Follow the directions on the floss packaging or ask your dentist to show you how to achieve the proper flossing method – obviously it’s a little trickier with braces in the way. Make sure to thoroughly rinse your mouth with water or mouth wash. Check your teeth and braces for any pieces of food you may have missed.
2. Make Regular Orthodontist Visits
Orthodontist visits are important for getting adjustments to your braces. You may feel tightness or pain after the adjustments made at your visit, but this is completely normal. If the pain is not relieved in a short period of time or becomes worse, contact your orthodontist as soon as possible. You should also be sure to call your orthodontist if you have any concerns or if any pieces of your wiring break.
Routine dentist visits are also imperative during the time you have braces. Your dentist can help identify cavities and symptoms of gum disease, which you are more prone to while you have braces due to more difficulties with brushing and reaching all parts of the teeth.
If you have any questions about your oral hygiene routine, your dentist or orthodontist can help guide you to the proper method.
3. Use Products for Braces to Enhance Oral Care
Cleaning your teeth becomes more demanding when you have braces, but there are many products that can help you with this process. It is important to choose the proper oral care products that will work best for you. We suggest obtaining products like electric toothbrushes that are made specially for braces.
Another great option to aid in your oral health is threader floss, which can help you clean around the wires.
It can also be beneficial to obtain a toothpaste that is designed to target the germs in between the brackets of your braces.
While these products can help you greatly in maintaining your oral hygiene, be sure to maintain a strict regimen with your hygiene routine.
4. Stay Away from Certain Foods
Try to avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods while you have braces. These are more likely to get stuck in the spaces in your brackets and are harder to remove. Crunchy foods can also cause your wires to break or snap. Avoid chewing ice or putting pens in your mouth when bored – these can cause accidental breaks.
Your orthodontist will likely provide a list of foods that you should avoid. If you do not receive a list or are curious about any sort of food, contact your orthodontist, or simply check out the wealth of resources online.
Considering getting braces, or want some advice about yours? Talk to Dentrix Dental today.