Maintaining oral hygiene can be a challenge when you have braces, but it’s one of the most important aspects of achieving a beautiful, healthy smile. Braces create additional surfaces where plaque and food particles can accumulate, which can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental issues if not cleaned properly. However, with the right strategies and care, you can keep your teeth and braces in excellent condition throughout your orthodontic treatment.
Here are essential tips to help you maintain clean and healthy teeth while wearing braces.
1. Brush Your Teeth After Every Meal
One of the most important habits when you have braces is brushing your teeth thoroughly after every meal. Food particles and plaque can easily get stuck between the brackets and wires, leading to tooth decay and bad breath if left unchecked. Brushing after each meal ensures that these particles are removed and prevents the buildup of plaque around your braces.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth at a 45-degree angle, making sure to reach every part of your teeth, including the gumline and around each bracket. Consider using a special orthodontic toothbrush, which is designed to get into the hard-to-reach areas around the braces.
2. Use Interdental Brushes or Floss Threaders
Regular flossing becomes a bit trickier when you have braces, but it’s just as important. The wires and brackets can create barriers that prevent regular floss from effectively cleaning between your teeth. That’s why you should use interdental brushes or floss threaders to clean between your teeth and around the braces.
Interdental brushes are small, cylindrical brushes that can easily fit between your teeth and around brackets, effectively cleaning those areas where food and plaque tend to accumulate. Alternatively, floss threaders can help you thread dental floss between the braces and teeth, allowing for effective flossing.
Try to floss at least once a day, preferably before bedtime, to ensure there’s no buildup overnight.
3. Rinse with an Antibacterial Mouthwash
An antibacterial mouthwash can help eliminate any remaining bacteria after brushing and flossing. Mouthwash helps reduce plaque buildup, freshens your breath, and reaches areas that your toothbrush might miss. It’s especially useful for patients with braces, as food and plaque can sometimes hide in places that are difficult to clean with a toothbrush alone.
Choose a mouthwash that’s alcohol-free and contains fluoride to help prevent cavities. Swish it around in your mouth for 30 seconds to a minute to ensure that all areas of your mouth are treated.
4. Be Mindful of What You Eat
What you eat can have a significant impact on your oral hygiene when you have braces. Certain foods can get stuck in the brackets or cause damage to the wires. Sticky foods like caramel, taffy, and chewing gum can cling to your braces and be difficult to remove. Hard foods such as nuts, hard candies, and ice can also damage your braces.
Instead, focus on eating foods that are less likely to damage your braces and more conducive to oral health. Soft fruits, cooked vegetables, dairy products, and lean meats are good choices. Additionally, cutting food into smaller pieces can help prevent any food from getting caught in your braces.
5. Drink Plenty of Water
Water is essential for maintaining your oral health with braces. Drinking water throughout the day helps rinse away food particles and prevents plaque buildup. It also helps keep your mouth hydrated, which is crucial for maintaining healthy gums and tissues.
If you’re craving a sugary drink, try to limit its consumption or use a straw to minimize contact with your teeth. Sugary and acidic drinks, such as soda and fruit juices, can contribute to plaque buildup and increase the risk of tooth decay.
6. Avoid Certain Habits
While you may already be aware of some habits that can affect your braces, others might be more subtle but still damaging. For instance, biting your nails, chewing on pens or pencils, or grinding your teeth can cause unnecessary stress on your braces and even break them.
Additionally, avoid playing with the brackets or wires with your tongue or fingers. This can loosen the brackets or wires and lead to longer treatment times. If you notice a loose bracket or wire, contact your orthodontist immediately to avoid delays in your treatment.
7. Visit Your Orthodontist Regularly
Regular visits to your orthodontist are essential for keeping your braces in good condition and ensuring that your oral hygiene is on track. Your orthodontist will monitor your progress and make adjustments as needed to ensure that your braces are working effectively.
During these visits, your orthodontist will also clean your braces and check for any issues that may be affecting your oral health. They can provide professional cleanings and give you additional tips on caring for your braces at home.
8. Consider a Water Flosser
A water flosser is a great alternative to traditional flossing, especially if you have braces. It uses a stream of water to clean between your teeth and around the brackets, helping to dislodge food particles and plaque. Water flossers are particularly useful for people with braces, as they can help reach areas that are difficult to access with string floss.
Although a water flosser doesn’t replace traditional flossing entirely, it’s an excellent supplementary tool to add to your oral care routine.
9. Stay on Top of Your Oral Health
Above all, it’s important to be diligent about maintaining your oral hygiene throughout your entire orthodontic journey. Consistency is key to preventing cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems. Keep track of your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your routine as needed.
It may take a little extra effort to maintain good oral hygiene with braces, but the reward will be a beautiful, healthy smile when your treatment is complete.
Contact Murray Orthodontics for Expert Orthodontic Care
If you’re looking for expert orthodontic care in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and Royal Palm Beach, FL, Murray Orthodontics is here to help. Our team of experienced orthodontists will guide you through every step of your treatment, ensuring that your braces or Invisalign journey is smooth, effective, and as comfortable as possible.
Don’t wait to get started on your path to a stunning smile! Contact our office today to schedule a consultation with a trusted Palm Beach Gardens orthodontist.
