Braces create many tiny spaces to trap food while at the same time hindering easy access to areas of your mouth. Maintaining your oral health while in braces is important. Cleaning your teeth with braces is recommended four times a day, and in the text below learn how to do it.
Brushing
- Brush frequently. You should strive to brush after every meal for at least 2 minuets. A manual toothbrush is fine, although you may prefer an electric one.
- Try to use a soft bristled toothbrush as to not hurt your gums.
- Always use a toothpaste with fluoride. Avoid whitening products as they may leave you with white squares once your braces are removed.
Flossing
Floss everyday with string floss. You can use a floss threader to guide the floss under your brackets. Floss is a product that comes with a floss threader on the floss, if that’s more convenient for you. Another method of flossing is by using a water flosser, which makes it easier to get food out, but you should use string floss as well. Additionally, Plackers Orthopick are another product that can help you floss easier, as it can get under your brackets without a floss threader.
Cleaning in between brackets
- Use an interdental brush to clean the sides of your brackets.
- You can also try using interdental picks for hard to reach spots, such in between your molars.
Gum health
One of the main reasons for inflamed or red gums is lack of flossing. It is very important to floss when you have braces.
If you have inflamed gums, you can try warm salt water rinses. This helps kill bacteria. Try swishing your mouth with a teaspoon of salt in warm water daily if you have swollen or inflamed gums. If your gums do not heal please call your orthodontist or visit your dentist.
You must get dental cleanings every 4-6 months. Your orthodontist will most likely remind you.
If you wait too long in between cleanings, you may start to develop tartar, or calculus, on your teeth. This can only really be removed by your dentist during cleanings. (Sometimes people naturally develop more tartar faster than others)
Teeth movement
Estimates are not a guarantee that your braces will be off within that time frame, especially if you are not compliant with your treatment
It is very important to follow directions from your orthodontist. This means staying on top of your dental hygiene (healthy gums = progress), wearing your rubber bands, attending each appointment, going to your dental cleanings, and not breaking brackets due to carelessness.
Sometimes your teeth can look “worse” (for example, new gaps, difference in your teeth’s height, smile looking odd, ect) during the first few months of treatment. Remember that your teeth are still moving around and settling into place, so this is quite normal. However, any concerns should always be brought up to your orthodontist.
This is all about cleaning your teeth with braces.