Braces and Dental Hygiene
Braces are an incredibly effective treatment for correcting the alignment of teeth and jaws. However, the brackets that are bonded to the fronts of your teeth and the wires attached to them can make maintaining your oral hygiene more difficult. While more difficult, it is not impossible. Naborowski Orthodontics is here to help.
The Importance of Dental Hygiene With BracesDental hygiene is important at all times, but it is especially important while you are wearing braces. If you neglect any part of your oral care routine, your risk for developing decay, cavities, and gum disease increases significantly. If any of these, or other, oral health issues develop, it could delay your orthodontic treatment, which means that you end up spending more time wearing your braces. Neglecting dental hygiene can also increase your risk for decalcification, which results in permanent white scars on your teeth. These marks become very prominent when your braces come off, and they can significantly impact the quality of your smile.
Tools for Good Oral HygieneWhen you wear braces, taking proper care of your mouth does require a bit more time and effort. It can be difficult to maneuver around brackets and wires. However, there are plenty of tools that can help you to get the job done. Tools you should have for proper dental hygiene with braces include:
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A soft-bristled toothbrush.
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An interdental toothbrush, which can aid in cleaning underneath wires and along brackets.
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An interproximal toothbrush, which can help to clean the spaces between your teeth.
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Floss threaders. It can be difficult to get the floss under the wires, but a floss threader can help make the process much easier.
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A mirror. |
Brushing With BracesBrushing should continue to be done in the morning and before bed every day, however, it is also highly recommended to brush after every meal as well. Using an interdental brush, clear away larger debris under wires and along brackets. Next, brush your teeth using a soft bristled brush. Just like brushing your teeth without braces, you should brush for a full two minutes. Angle your toothbrush for easier access to the areas around the brackets and spend several seconds on each tooth. Change your toothbrush as soon as you notice the bristles beginning to fray. With braces, this may need to be done more often than usual, but it is essential for ensuring effective brushing.
How to Floss With BracesWhen you have braces, you should continue to floss at least once a day. Using a floss threader, thread the floss under the wire between each bracket. Gently move the floss back and forth to work it between your teeth and scrape up and down the sides of each tooth. Make sure to floss around the brackets and wires as well and do not forget to floss behind your back teeth.
Maintain Regular Dental VisitsIn addition to taking care of your mouth at home, it is important to maintain your regular dental visits. These visits are crucial for keeping your teeth clean and healthy, and preventing serious issues like cavities and gum disease while you are undergoing orthodontic treatment.
While dental hygiene is important at all times, it is especially important while you are wearing braces. For more information, call Naborowski Orthodontics at (630) 543-5051 today. |
