Braces are awesome when it comes to straightening smiles, but when it comes to care you have to make sure your taking care of your braces with that awesome smile! Because brackets and wires leave more places for food and plaque to hide, that makes it easier to end up with issues like tooth decay and gum disease. That’s why it’s critically important to brush and floss for braces correctly.
Whether you’re brand new to braces in Spokane or you’re starting to wrap things up, these expert tips will help you keep your teeth clean and strong the entire time.
Why Your Oral Health Is Even More Important When You Have Braces
Food can become enclosed in orthodontic appliances, preventing all surfaces of the teeth from being cleaned. If left untreated, this can result in:
- Plaque buildup
- Tooth discoloration
- Cavities
- Swollen or bleeding gums
- White spot early decay
In the worst cases, a lack of hygiene can retard orthodontic progress, or result in permanent damage after braces are removed.
Tips for Brushing Braces wearers
Brush after each meal: This will help clean anything trapped in your brackets and wires.
Opt for a soft-bristled toothbrush or electric toothbrush: They’re both enamel-friendly options that are able to get to hard-to-reach places.
Hold your brush at the right angle: Angle the brush of the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums and brush both above and below the brackets.
Brush two minutes: Spend 30 seconds on each quadrant of your mouth upper right, upper left, lower right, lower left.
Try an interdental or proxy brush: Used with small, pointed brushes, these can go between brackets and under wires, in places a regular brush can’t reach.
If you’re in the middle of treatment with Braces in Spokane, your orthodontist may recommend specific products or techniques that’s right for your appliance type be it traditional metal or clear ceramic.
Flossing with Braces: Easier Than It Seems
Don’t forget to floss even if you have braces. Although it does sound a bit harder, there are some tools that can make the process a bit easier:
Floss threaders: These assist in placing dental floss behind the archwire so that you can floss between teeth as you normally would.
Orthodontic floss: Firm-ended floss that require no threader.
Water flossers: Tools such as Waterpik that shoot a jet of water to remove food and plaque from around brackets and along the gumline. They’re a great addition to standard flossing.
You should be flossing at least once a day, ideally before bedtime, when destructive bacteria can flourish to maintain an overall healthy smile.
Additional Tips for Maintaining Oral Health with Braces
Steer clear of sticky and sugary: Both sticky and sugary foods contribute to tooth decay and are more difficult to clean off your braces.
Follow up with your orthodontist: Regular check-ups for the Braces in Spokane make sure your teeth are moving properly and remaining healthy.
For more details of treatment types and how to take care of them, visit the treatment resource to get tips especially for your stage in the process.
Conclusion
It may require a little more effort, but in the end it’s worth it for a beautiful, healthy smile. With the proper tools and routines, you can avoid typical problems and make sure that your orthodontic treatment is a success. Whether you are new to Braces in Spokane or nearing the end of your treatment, diligent and thorough brushing and flossing are key components in ensuring your smile remains beautiful and healthy.
Mr. Shawn is the author of this article, if you want to know more about Invisalign in South Hill, please visit the link wireorthodontics.com
