Do you wear braces and struggle to keep them clean and maintain good oral hygiene? Or are you planning to get braces soon, and you’re concerned about how to keep your teeth clean and avoid unwanted dental issues?
Living with braces can become challenging for people who are new to them. Even people who have been wearing braces for a long time face some dental issues and discomfort from time to time. Once your teeth get straightened by braces, the plaque is easier to reach between your teeth.
However, some food particles and plaque can accumulate and trap in the spaces between your teeth. This renders it essential to spend more effort and time on your oral care with wearing braces.
Learn how to take care of your dental hygiene and clean your teeth thoroughly while wearing braces. You’ll also learn how to schedule a consultation at DICC if you’re not sure about the measures you need to take to maintain good oral health.
Why is it Important to Take Extra Care of Your Teeth When Wearing Braces?
Braces are used to straighten teeth and correct misshapen bites. This can be done by either moving the teeth with a series of wires and brackets or removing enough gum tissue so that the jaw bone moves, thus allowing the teeth to conform to their new positions.
It is important to take extra care of your teeth when wearing braces because not only do you want them to look good — you want them to last. Braces can damage your gums if not taken care of properly. Gum tissue should be kept as healthy as possible to prevent any infection or disease from developing while wearing braces.
Six Tips to Clean Teeth with Wearing Braces
To make sure you maintain a good and healthy smile while wearing braces, you’ll need to take extra care of your teeth and incorporate the following six steps in your dental routine:
1. Brush and rinse after every meal
Brush and rinse your teeth after every meal. If you have braces, you will want to be extra careful about getting food caught in the wires. It may be tempting to rinse your mouth out with water after you eat, but this can cause anaerobic bacteria to grow in your mouth, leading to bad breath, tooth decay, and cavities.
If you’re unsure about doing it the right way, you can plan a consultation at our dental centers at DICC, where our orthodontists will give you instructions on how to clean around your braces.
2. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush
You should use a soft-bristled brush that is not too big or small for your mouth. A common mistake people make is using a toothbrush that is too big for their mouths. If you have trouble reaching every part of your mouth with a toothbrush due to braces, you can use an interdental cleaner instead. These are small brushes that fit between the braces and help clean the hard-to-reach places between the brackets.
3. Brush your teeth thoroughly for two minutes
Clean each part of your mouth for 30 seconds each, upper and lower right sides, and upper and lower left sides. You should also clean your teeth’ inner and outer sides properly and set a timer for 2 minutes to ensure your teeth are cleaned thoroughly.
4. Floss at least once a day
Flossing becomes as important for your teeth as brushing while wearing braces. But this part can be challenging too. When using regular floss, use a saw-like motion around your teeth to remove as much plaque as possible.
Most of the time, regular flossing doesn’t provide good results, so our dental surgeons recommend using a water flosser. It cleans your teeth with a stream of water and is a quick and convenient way to floss your teeth.
5. Use special brushing tools
Several tools are available to help you clean your teeth and gums when you have braces. These tools can help you reach all areas of your mouth for thorough cleaning.
Using interdental brushes is particularly helpful in cleaning between teeth where bristles can reach. The metal wire brush head has stiff nylon bristles that move around tightly spaced teeth.
Another great tool is a water pick or oral irrigator. It uses pressurized water to remove bacteria and food particles between teeth and under the gum line. Waterpiks come with a variety of tips that are designed to fit the curves of your mouth.
6. Avoid sticky foods
Try your best to avoid foods that tend to stick to your teeth because it can get hard to remove them. Even if you religiously use good dental tools and techniques for your braces, avoiding something uncomfortable would be your best bet.
What Happens When You Don’t Look After Your Teeth?
Braces are an amazing invention that helps correct crooked, crowded, or overlapping teeth. However, the wire and brackets that hold your braces in place can also get covered with bacteria and plaque. And if you have braces, you know how difficult it is to brush that area properly.
Treating the areas around your braces with dental techniques and tools can help keep them clean and healthy. Since improper dental care can potentially lead to plaque buildup and gum disease, it’s important to incorporate good dental practices for your braces to avoid these complications and maintain a good smile.
Plan a Consultation with Our Expert Dental Surgeons at DICC
If you’re unsure where to start and want an expert to guide you throughout the dental care process, we make sure our orthodontists are always available to serve you. Our dental clinics in Cherry Creek, Boulder, and Broomfield use high-quality dental tools and employ safe techniques to deliver quality dental care.
Plan your consultation with our dental experts today and receive comprehensive care where you’ll be guided at each step of the way!
