Rancho Cucamonga Dentists say that oral hygiene is more important than ever now that braces have been installed.
If they are not removed properly, rubber bands and brackets can be used as hiding places for food debris and plaque.
A dentist can remove rubber bands and wires from patients who want their teeth cleaned. The dentist will then concentrate on the areas around brackets which are more common.
My patients receive braces care tips. I help them to understand how to keep their teeth healthy and minimize the risk of cavities and staining.
If you are wearing braces, read on.
Braces to Clean Teeth
Rancho Cucamonga Dentists recommend that braces patients be more aware of how much food they consume during the day.
Many dentist recommend that you clean your teeth at least three times a day, after each meal.
If you have difficulty brushing your teeth after a meal, rinse your mouth with warm water. This will remove more food particles. Soon, you’ll be able brush.
Brackets or wires can make brushing your teeth more difficult and take up to twice as long.
Instead of 2 minutes, patients should bulge their cleaning 3 minutes. This requires more effort and takes longer for all brackets to be reached.
It is important to not press too hard when brushing your teeth in order to maintain braces.
How to Floss With Braces
Rancho Cucamonga Dentists recommend a few items of equipment that can be used for flossing and brushing braces.
You should choose the toothbrush and floss that is most comfortable for you and that you can use every single day.
Cleaning
A soft toothbrush makes brushing much easier. To clean your braces, flip it upside down and go straight down.
Waterpik. This can be used for cleaning hard-to-reach places.
If you don’t have time to floss or brush after meals, interproximal brushes (or proxy toothbrushes) are great for quick cleaning. The tapered end can be used to slide the brush underneath your brackets to remove plaque. While applying the plaque, be careful not to pull on the brackets.
Fluoride toothpaste is a good choice to protect your enamel and strengthen teeth. Avoid using whitening toothpaste to make your teeth look different after you take out braces.
Flossing
Platypus Ortho floss is loved by braces patients. It can be threaded outside, and one side is flat. To clean it quickly, you can push it under the brackets. Plackers Dental Flossers are also a great tool. They serve the same purpose.
Superfloss floss is stiffer and can be easily slipped under braces cables. To clean around brackets, you can use the spongey part in the middle once it has fallen below your cable. Regular floss can also be used below the gumline to remove plaque (includes regular floss).
A floss threader makes flossing easier with braces. Use the pointed end of the floss threader to insert regular dental floss. After the threader has been secured under your cable you can remove it and continue flossing as normal (repeat this between all teeth).
Apply a mouthwash every day to protect your enamel.
Before you decide on a mouthwash with fluoride, but not alcohol, make sure to look at the active ingredients.
Drinking alcohol can dry out your mouth, reduce saliva flow, cause bad taste, and even cause cavities.
Take care of your braces
These guidelines will help you keep your braces in tip-top shape.
If your brackets are more damaged, it will make treatment more difficult.
If you break a brace, call your orthodontist right away. This will prevent your teeth from moving and protect you from losing any progress that you have made.
Braces treatment will be more effective if you have a good oral hygiene regimen with the right tools and care.