You can improve oral function and feel proud of your smile’s appearance when you straighten your teeth with braces. This orthodontic treatment features metal brackets attached to the teeth connected by a wire.
Over time, the fixtures will push the teeth into the desired aligned position. You can fix crooked teeth, close gaps between teeth, and amend bite problems through this treatment.
Good oral hygiene habits are always crucial to keep your smile healthy, but you want to prioritize oral hygiene especially to avoid disrupting your orthodontic treatment. With fixtures adhered to your teeth, you might wonder how to go about cleaning your smile effectively.
You still need to floss daily and brush your teeth twice each day when you have braces. And you can accomplish this when you use a purposeful approach to practicing oral hygiene. Read on to find advice from your dentist for maintaining good oral hygiene during teeth-straightening treatment with braces.
Brush with Careful Movements
Brushing your teeth is an important part of oral health care. You cannot skip this step in your oral hygiene routine even though it seems like brackets and wires interfere with your ability to scrub a toothbrush over your teeth.
It is true that you should exercise caution as you brush. But you can still use your usual toothbrush to clean your smile. Position your toothbrush with purposeful angles when you perform this step in your oral hygiene regimen.
Angle upward to brush your teeth near your gumline. Then angle the toothbrush downward to brush your teeth above the brackets of your braces. Finish brushing your teeth by angling your toothbrush upward again to clean the surface of your teeth below your braces.
If you use gentle motions for this activity, you can avoid damaging your braces while brushing your teeth. Make sure you clean the entire surface of your teeth to maximize the prevention of dental issues.
Rinse Your Mouth Thoroughly
When you have braces, it may be a good idea to rinse more frequently during your oral hygiene routine. Take a cup filled with water and rinse your mouth before you start your regimen. This can get rid of lingering food particles that might get trapped in your braces, simplifying your cleaning.
Rinse well after you finish brushing and flossing your teeth as well. This ensures you get rid of excess toothpaste and any other residues to maximize oral cleanliness.
Consider Alternative Oral Hygiene Tools
While traditional manual toothbrushes and string floss can get your smile effectively clean, you might struggle to maneuver these tools around your braces. If you struggle to get your teeth clean around your braces, you can explore alternative oral hygiene supplies designed specifically for people with braces.
For instance, you can try brushes built at an angle that you can slip between your brackets for a more thorough cleaning. And you can also look at floss picks or water flossers that will clean between your teeth while not harming your braces. Learn more about oral hygiene options when you give your dentist a call.