Braces are used to straighten teeth by your orthodontist and it has helped a lot of people to finally have a dazzling smile in the end. But during the therapy, many patients find it difficult to maintain hygiene around braces. Keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy during your orthodontic treatment is extremely important because improper care and hygiene could lead to prolonged treatment and require more patient visits. The inability of proper brushing can lead to unattractive white spots and even gum disease or tooth decay which are unaesthetic.
It is easy with the frequent maintenance of hygiene with some professional tips described below:
1. Brush Often:
You should try and brush your teeth after every meal because food has the tendency to get caught and stick around your braces. Spend some extra time cleaning your teeth is necessary because plaque and food debris are more likely to develop around brackets. You should be brushing at least three times a day, for at least two minutes each time. You should always use fluoride toothpaste to help prevent cavities, decay and decalcification. You may need to replace your toothbrush more often than usual, as braces can wear down the bristles quicker.
2. Use special brushes
- Electric brush: They are more effective at plaque removal and highly recommended when wearing braces.
- Orthodontic brush: It has a slim brush head, designed for efficient cleaning close to brackets and under orthodontic wires.
- Proxa or interdental brush: It is a small, pipe-cleaner looking type of brush. It loosens the plaque trapped around the braces by sliding it under the wire. They may be available in several sizes, with a straight or angled brush head and in two textures, soft and extra soft. The extra soft brushes have longer filaments, which can be suitable for orthodontic patients
3. Don’t forget to floss
It will take longer to be habitual and will be easier once started using it regularly. Flossing will help you remove the plaque buildup that your toothbrush can’t get. Braces can make flossing a little more challenging, so most likely need to use a floss threader to get the floss underneath the wire.
4. Always end up rinsing
After brushing and flossing we recommend rinsing with the fluoridated mouthwash which is not the standard mouthwash as it is not for freshening your breath. Instead, it neutralizes pH level in your oral cavity and makes the environment less favourable for the plaque to build up. It also causes remineralization and allows to clean around braces where it’s not feasible for a brush to enter.
5. Avoid hard and sticky food
Although braces have become sturdier with modern technology, it's still important to be careful not to damage them. Certain foods can damage braces components like the rubber bands, wires, or even the bracket itself.
6. Check yourself!
Remember to brush and floss in front of a mirror so you can make sure you’re getting the job done. Use your mirror to check your teeth.
That’s it !!With proper care and upkeep of your oral health, your teeth and gums will be in proper shape. And your smile will be stunning after braces removal.
Use Damon braces, which make oral care much easier because the wires are not required to be held in place by plaque-attracting coloured rubber ties. Remember, maintaining excellent oral hygiene when you have braces may take a little extra time and effort, but it will be more than worth it in the end!