Whether you wear metal braces, ceramic braces or lingual braces, you need to know how to best care for your teeth during orthodontic treatment. If you take care of your braces properly, it will make them much more comfortable and effective, meaning you’re a step closer to the perfect smile each day!
What can you do to keep your oral health in check while wearing braces?
Brushing
Brushing is important whether or not you wear braces, but it becomes especially important when you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. When you wear braces, it’s much easier for pesky pieces of food and plaque to get trapped in the brackets and cause problems, so you should use a toothbrush with a soft head to access those hard-to-reach areas. If you prefer to use an electric toothbrush, that’s fine too.
Start off by brushing at the gum line of your teeth, holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle towards your gums. Once you’ve cleaned your gum line, hold your toothbrush at a downward angle on the top of your brackets, and then at an upward angle to clean the bottom of your brackets.
If you wear braces we recommend brushing after every meal. Keeping a toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste handy in your bag is an easy way to make sure your mouth is clean and sparkling!
Flossing
Flossing while wearing braces can be challenging, but it’s a step in your oral hygiene routine that shouldn’t be ignored. It helps to remove any plaque build-up, as well as any smaller food particles that are stuck in your braces or between your teeth. If you find it tricky to floss with flossing tape, try using floss threaders or interdental brushes. You can buy these in the supermarket or pharmacy, and they can help you maneuver around your brackets. Remember to be gentle when you’re flossing. Try not to apply too much pressure or go too quickly as you could damage your braces, which would mean a trip back to see the orthodontist!
If you’re wearing braces, you want to do everything possible to make sure you’re getting the best result. Keeping your teeth clean, taking the time to floss, and thinking about the food you eat are simple but effective steps to make sure you’ll have a perfect smile when they come off. This includes keeping your dental appointments for cleaning on the schedule we recommend. If you’re not already on our schedule you can call our office at 312-943-6444 or make an appointment with us online.
