Braces can transform your smile, but they need a strong commitment to maintaining oral hygiene. Orthodontic treatments create challenges for keeping your mouth clean. Braces consist of brackets, wires, and bands, which create small spaces that trap food particles. These trapped particles increase the risk of plaque buildup, which can lead to dental issues. Dr. Daniel Moheban can give you tips to care for your braces after treatment in Worcester, MA.
Poor oral hygiene while you wear braces can result in cavities, gum disease, and even tooth decay. Maintaining oral hygiene with braces can prevent long-term dental issues and ensure the best results. Without proper care, the time and investment in braces can lead to unwanted complications.
How to Maintain Braces
Braces are a big help in getting a healthy, straight smile, but they also need extra care. Proper cleaning and attention can prevent cavities, gum problems, and other issues during orthodontic treatment. Here’s how to maintain your braces for the best results.
Daily Brushing Techniques
Brushing your teeth with braces takes a little more effort than usual. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid damaging your braces or irritating your gums. Choose fluoride toothpaste to help keep your teeth strong and protect them from cavities. Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and gently brush around each bracket and wire.
Spend at least two minutes brushing, making sure to clean each tooth individually. Don’t forget to brush along the gum line and around all the brackets. An electric toothbrush can be helpful because it cleans more effectively in hard-to-reach areas. Replace your toothbrush every three months or sooner if the bristles are worn.
Flossing with Braces
It can be tricky to floss with braces, but it’s very important for keeping teeth and gums healthy. Tools like a floss threader can make the process easier. The threader lets you slide floss under the main wire and clean between your teeth. Move the floss up and down gently on both sides of each tooth to remove plaque and food particles.
You can also use an interdental brush or a water flosser to clean around brackets and wires. Flossing every day reduces the risk of gum disease and cavities, helping your teeth stay healthy while your braces do their job.
Using Mouthwash
Mouthwash can reach areas your toothbrush and floss might miss. A fluoride mouthwash helps strengthen enamel and protect against cavities. Swish it around your mouth for at least 30 seconds, making sure it touches all teeth and gums.
Use mouthwash after you brush and floss to kill bacteria and keep your breath fresh. Avoid mouthwashes with alcohol because they can dry out your mouth and irritate sensitive gums. Regular use of mouthwash is a simple way to support your daily oral care routine.
Dental Checkups
Even if you brush and floss your teeth carefully every day, professional dental checkups are still very important. You should visit our dentist at least every six months for routine cleanings and examinations. These visits help remove plaque and tartar that you might miss at home, keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
For people with braces, regular orthodontic appointments are also essential. During these visits, your orthodontist can adjust your braces, check your progress, and make sure everything is moving correctly. We can also spot small problems early, like cavities or gum irritation, before they become serious. Staying on top of your dental appointments helps protect your oral health and ensures that your braces work well.
Dietary Considerations
What you eat matters when you have braces. Certain foods can break brackets or make cleaning harder. Avoid sticky foods like caramel, gum, or taffy because they can stick to wires. Stay away from hard foods like nuts, hard candies, or popcorn kernels, which can damage braces.
Cut fruits and vegetables into small pieces, and chew with your back teeth instead of your front teeth. Limit sugary snacks and drinks because sugar feeds bacteria that cause cavities. You should also drink plenty of water to wash away food particles and keep your mouth clean.
Get Oral Hygiene Care in Worcester, MA
At Children’s Dental Specialties, we understand the unique challenges that come with orthodontic treatment. If your child has braces, proper oral hygiene is key to success. Please let us know if you have questions about how your child can keep their braces clean. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment and learn more about how we could help.