Oral Hygiene with Braces
Cambridge, OH
 Getting dental braces can help restore your confidence, finally giving you a straight and even smile after what feels like a lifetime of shame and embarrassment. Instead of feeling shy and not wanting to share your smile with anyone, braces can make you feel happy to grin at your friends and family again. 4.5 million Americans agree that getting dental braces is the right choice for them, allowing them to finally get the smile they always wanted, free from gaps, overcrowding, or a poor bite. However, taking care of your oral health can be a challenge when you have dental braces. We here at OHIOSmiles have several suggestions on how to maintain your oral hygiene when you have braces.
How Do I Take Care of My Teeth and Gums When I Have Braces?
When your teeth have poor alignment, it is known as “ malocclusion.” This means that due to a variety of factors, your teeth simply do not fit well together. This could be due to an overbite, an underbite, a mixed bite, or even having poorly spaced teeth. Braces can help correct that, but like all medical devices, they do require extra care and attention to ensure that you don’t develop worse problems during your treatment.
First and foremost, when you have braces, you must be extra careful when brushing your teeth. It can be difficult to brush when you have brackets and wires attached to your teeth, which is why extra vigilance is so important. Make sure you brush your teeth twice a day, for two minutes each time, with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Brush at a 45-degree angle away from your teeth to make sure all food and plaque are removed from around your braces. You may find that you have to replace your toothbrush more often, as braces can cause extra wear and tear on it. Interdental brushes can be very helpful, too, and you can use them to help remove large particles of debris from between your teeth.
Don’t give up on flossing when you have braces! Yes, we know it may be more of a challenge, but flossing is vital for your oral health. You may need to get special floss threaders to help you clean better between your teeth, but flossing is extremely important to help remove any plaque, food, and bacteria that can get trapped between your teeth and up under your gums.
After brushing and flossing, take extra care to rinse afterward. Start with a quick rinse with water to remove any remaining particles, then follow up with an antibacterial mouthwash to help remove any remaining germs. After taking care of your teeth, give yourself a good look in the mirror to make sure your teeth are nice and clean. If you missed any spots, go back and clean them to be sure.
Taking good care of your oral health can be difficult when you have braces, but it’s critical to maintain your oral hygiene routine with braces. You certainly don’t want to invest into getting a beautiful and straight smile, then risk losing your teeth to tooth decay or gum disease! If you’d like to learn more about taking care of your teeth when you have braces, or you’d like to schedule an exam at our office, give us a call here at OHIOSmiles at (740) 781-0540 today!
Getting dental braces can help restore your confidence, finally giving you a straight and even smile after what feels like a lifetime of shame and embarrassment. Instead of feeling shy and not wanting to share your smile with anyone, braces can make you feel happy to grin at your friends and family again. 4.5 million Americans agree that getting dental braces is the right choice for them, allowing them to finally get the smile they always wanted, free from gaps, overcrowding, or a poor bite. However, taking care of your oral health can be a challenge when you have dental braces. We here at OHIOSmiles have several suggestions on how to maintain your oral hygiene when you have braces. |
