Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is crucial to maintaining your oral health and smile. Your oral hygiene becomes even more important when you are wearing braces. Braces can trap food and plaque in places that are hard to reach, which can lead to tooth decay, gum disease and demineralization. These issues not only affect your oral health but may also extend the duration of your orthodontic treatment.
At The Brace Place, we are committed to helping you keep your smile healthy and beautiful throughout your treatment. Here are some essential tips to ensure good oral hygiene with braces:
- Brush your teeth at least three times a day. It is best to brush after every meal to remove any food particles stuck in and around your braces. If you indulge in a sugary snack or drink, make sure to rinse your mouth thoroughly with water to neutralize the acid from the sugars.
- Use specialized tools.Dr. Bray and Dr. Olsen highly recommend a Water Flosser to help clean arouond your braces. Floss specifically designed for braces is also very effective. An interproximal or interdental brush is excellent for cleaning around your brackets and wires. These brushes are designed to clean the difficult spots that a regular toothbrush might miss.
- Floss daily. Flossing is essential for removing debris between the teeth and along the gum line. A floss threader can help you get the floss behind the wires of your braces, making the process much easier.
- Rinse regularly. Always rinse your mouth with water after cleaning your teeth. Depending on your specific oral health needs, we may recommend a specialized mouthwash that can help reduce plaque buildup and prevent demineralization.
- Mind your diet. Be mindful of the foods that can damage your braces. Hard, sticky or chewy foods can break wires and dislodge brackets. Avoiding these foods will help keep your braces intact and your treatment on track.
- Continue to make and keep regular dental visits. You should visit your general dentist every six months to receive professional cleanings and exams, even if you are also meeting with our orthodontists regularly to have your braces adjusted. Our orthodontists can provide you with preventive care that will help you maintain your oral health, as well as ensure that any issues which may develop are diagnosed promptly.
For more information about oral hygiene with braces in Kalispell, Montana, and to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kurt Bray or Dr. Robert Olsen, please contact us at 406-752-8686 or 406-75-ORTHO. We are eager to assist you in achieving the best possible results from your orthodontic treatment.