Wearing braces is the first step towards achieving a confident, dazzling smile. Whether you’re considering braces, aligners, or other orthodontic appliances, this journey promises to be rewarding. However, amidst the excitement of a new smile, it’s crucial to pay attention to the importance of maintaining proper dental hygiene during the course of your treatment. It’s important to remember that the journey to a perfect smile starts with good dental hygiene. Dr Amir, the leading dentist in Blacktown, lists a few tips for maintaining optimum oral health while wearing braces.
Brush and Floss Regularly
Blushing and flossing, the basic dental hygiene routine, remains unchanged while wearing braces. However, with braces or aligners, these tasks require extra attention. The Blacktown dental experts recommend brushing your teeth at least twice daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Take your time to clean each tooth, paying special attention to the brackets, wires, or aligners. Flossing is a bit more challenging with braces. However, using floss threaders or interdental brushes can help clean between the teeth and around the wires effectively. For aligners, remember to remove them before brushing and flossing to access all surfaces of your teeth.
Use Orthodontic-Specific Tools
Maintaining good dental hygiene can be challenging when wearing braces. Traditional toothbrushes may not reach every crevice, so invest in orthodontic cleaning tools to enhance your dental hygiene routine. These tools, such as interdental brushes and water flossers, are designed to clean hard-to-reach areas around braces and wires effectively. Your dentist can recommend the best products based on your specific needs.
Watch Your Diet
During orthodontic treatment, it’s important to avoid certain foods that can damage your braces or create buildup in hard-to-reach places. This includes hard and sticky candies, popcorn, nuts, and chewy foods like caramel and taffy. Eating these foods can lead to broken brackets or wires, which can cause discomfort and delay your treatment progress. Instead, opt for softer foods like cooked vegetables, lean proteins, and fruits without seeds or tough skin.
Regular Dental Checkups
During a dental visit, your dentist will carefully assess your mouth for any indications of tooth decay or gum disease. This ensures your teeth are healthy and free from cavities and gum diseases. They may also take X-rays to make sure that your teeth and jaw are developing correctly. Regular checkups will allow your orthodontist to monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan if necessary.
Use Mouth Wash
Using mouthwash is an excellent way to complement your oral hygiene routine while wearing braces. It helps kill bacteria that linger in hard-to-reach areas of your mouth, preventing tooth decay and bad breath. If you’re prone to plaque buildup, using an antibacterial mouthwash is recommended. It helps to flush out any remaining food particles and prevents them from causing additional damage to your teeth and braces. Some orthodontic mouthwashes are designed specifically to loosen debris and particles in hard-to-reach areas between the teeth and around brackets.
Planning to get braces? Talk to Dr Amir, a Blacktown dentist, to know your options.