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The Right Way to Clean Teeth with Braces

Are you new to having braces? The process of cleaning your teeth now takes a bit longer, doesn’t it? Despite this, you will NEVER regret the extra effort! In line with this, do you think you are cleaning your teeth with braces in the correct manner? You may have noticed how much more food gets caught in and around your teeth! Read on to ensure your dental hygiene routine is the best it can be!

Plaque Builds Up Faster

Plaque is that white film that can make our teeth feel like they are wearing sweaters. It does not look nice and it certainly doesn’t smell very nice! When we clean our teeth properly, as in brushing for 2 minutes twice per day and flossing, plaque build up decreases. If we fail to do this, plaque loving bacteria increase and so does the risk of cavities and gum disease.

When we have braces, there are more surfaces for plaque to adhere to. Therefore, you have all the more reason to stick to a consistent cleaning routine.

Some Helpful Tips

Your cleaning routine will remain basically the same but with a few extra tools. Below is a list of items that will help you tremendously!

  • Flossers: These are plastic needle looking tools that will help you to floss with braces. Use them in basically the same way you use a needle and thread. OralB explains, “Use waxed floss and thread it carefully under the main wire before passing between two teeth. Don’t snap it—simply move up and down gently, remove, and move on to the next pair of teeth.”
  • Electric toothbrush: Of coarse you can clean your teeth well with a regular toothbrush, but an electric tooth brush has some additional “perks” to improve your brushing. Not only do the bristles clean away more plaque because of the faster pace, but many of the new electric toothbrushes have pressure sensors to help you not brush so hard. To add to this, they have built in timers ensuring you clean your teeth for the recommended 2 minutes every time! Another plus is they have brush heads specifically designed for cleaning around braces! Remember to replace your toothbrush every 3 months since the brackets cause the bristles to wear out faster.
  • Proxy brush: These are mini brushes that resemble straw cleaners. Due to their size and bendable build, they are able to clean out remaining food particles and are great to have on hand for after meals!

Schedule Your Dental Visits

In conclusion, do not down play the importance of your orthodontist visits. These allow the dentist the opportunity to make necessary adjustments and thus ensure your teeth are moving the way they should. Additionally, don’t forget your regular 6 month check-ups. These are especially important when you have braces because of the increased risk of cavities and gum disease. Here, your dentist can also explain to you the best way to maintain your dental hygiene throughout the duration of your braces.

Here at Oceanside Dental and Orthodontics, we hope this article was helpful to you! Any further questions? Please give us a call at (760) 466-0776.