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Maintaining proper oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment is essential. If you neglect your oral hygiene routine while wearing braces, your teeth could become discolored or decayed. This problem will be evident once your braces come off. Learn how to care for your teeth when wearing braces.
BRUSHING WITH BRACES
You need to brush your teeth at least two times a day when wearing braces. Each time should last for at least two minutes and up to three minutes if extra time is needed. Many people prefer using electric toothbrushes when wearing braces. These toothbrushes do an excellent job of getting in between oral appliances and scrubbing away bacteria.
Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums. Using moderate pressure, brush the teeth from top to bottom. Start with the front of the teeth and then move to the back. Finish by cleaning the biting surfaces. Rinse the mouth thoroughly after brushing.
FLOSSING WITH BRACES/ALIGNERS
It’s also important to floss every day . You will have to floss under the archwire. This is hard to do with the traditional flossing method, so consider using a floss threader or better yet, an oral irrigator.
RINSING WITH AN ANTIBACTERIAL MOUTHWASH
To reduce inflammation to your gums and cheeks, we suggest using a hydrogen peroxide antiseptic mouth rinse. This rinse will help prevent infection and decrease irritation that may develop from your braces. Rinse your mouth with two teaspoons of the hydrogen peroxide rinse for one minute, and then spit it out. You may use it up to four times daily following brushing. Just like using peroxide for a scrape on your skin, this hydrogen peroxide mouth rinse helps the inside of your mouth heal. It can be used for general irritation caused by your braces or for canker sores, cheek bites and other minor injuries to the gums.
FINISH WITH AN INTERDENTAL TOOTHBRUSH
Your toothbrush and dental floss will do a nice job of removing most of the bacteria, but they can’t get into those hard-to-reach spots around the brackets. Use an interdental toothbrush to clean around the brackets. Move the interdental toothbrush in a back and forth motion around the brackets. Rinse after cleaning a bracket and repeat the process until each bracket has been cleaned.
ORAL HYGIENE IS A MUST
Oral hygiene is always important, but it’s even more critical when wearing braces. Follow these tips to keep your teeth clean and healthy during orthodontic treatment.