If you or someone you love has recently gotten braces, you may be wondering how to keep teeth and gums healthy while navigating the new addition to your mouth.
Cleaning your teeth with braces can seem daunting, but it’s actually not as difficult as you might think. With a little bit of know-how and the right tools, you can keep your smile sparkling clean and healthy.
In this article, we’ll be sharing six tips to help you keep your teeth and gums clean while you’re wearing braces. Whether you’re a teenager just starting your orthodontic journey or an adult looking to straighten your teeth, these tips will help you feel confident and reassured about your dental health.
6 Tips for a healthier smile with braces
- Use an interdental brush
An interdental brush is a small brush that can easily fit between your braces and your teeth to clean away plaque and food particles. Using an interdental brush is especially important when you have braces because it can reach areas that a regular toothbrush might not be able to. You can use it to clean around the brackets and wires of your braces, as well as the spaces in between your teeth.
It is also important to make sure you are using the right size of brush for your teeth and braces.
- Floss with a floss threader
A floss threader is a tool that allows you to thread dental floss through the wires of your braces and clean between your teeth. Flossing is important to remove plaque and food particles that can become trapped between your teeth and braces. A floss threader makes it easier to reach these areas.
You can use the floss threader to guide the floss through the wires of your braces and clean between your teeth. Once the floss is in place, use a gentle back-and-forth motion to clean between your teeth. Make sure to floss at least once a day, or as recommended by your dentist or orthodontist.
- Use an orthodontic brush
An orthodontic brush is a small brush that is specifically designed to clean around braces. It has a small brush head and a long handle to make it easier to reach all areas of your mouth. The small brush head allows you to clean around the brackets and wires of your braces, while the long handle makes it easier to reach the back of your mouth.
It is also important to make sure you are using the right size of brush for your teeth and braces. It is recommended to brush after every meal or at least twice a day to ensure that all food particles are removed and to prevent plaque buildup.
- Use an antiseptic mouthwash
Rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash can help kill bacteria and freshen your breath. The mouthwash can also help to reduce the risk of plaque buildup and tooth decay.
It is recommended to use an antiseptic mouthwash after brushing and flossing for optimal results. It is also important to make sure you are using a mouthwash recommended by your orthodontist or dentist. Using a mouthwash can also help to reduce any discomfort caused by braces and to freshen your breath.
- Regularly visit your dentist
Regular check-ups with your dentist are important when you have braces to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy. Regular check-ups will help your dentist to monitor the progress of your treatment and ensure that your braces are adjusted properly.
It is also important to have your teeth cleaned professionally at least twice a year to maintain optimal oral health. Your dentist will also be able to give you specific advice and instructions for maintaining good oral hygiene while you have braces.
- Avoid hard and sticky foods
Hard and sticky foods can easily get stuck in your braces and be difficult to remove, so it’s best to avoid them. Foods like hard candy, popcorn, and chewy caramel can cause damage to the braces and can make it difficult to clean the teeth properly.
Some examples of food that should be avoided include:
- Hard candy
- Popcorn
- Chewy caramel
- Nuts
- Apples
- Carrots
- Corn on the cob
- Bagels
- Licorice,
- Taffy
It’s also important to avoid biting your nails, pens, or other hard objects as they can cause damage to your braces. By avoiding these foods and habits, you can help to protect your braces and ensure that your treatment is as successful as possible.
Why you don’t have to be scared about going to your dentist
Going to the dentist can be a scary experience for some people, but it doesn’t have to be. The truth is, visiting the dentist regularly is a vital part of maintaining good oral health. It can help prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and many other dental problems.
Dentists are trained professionals who are there to help you and make sure that your teeth and gums are healthy. They understand that some people may be anxious about visiting the dentist and will do everything they can to make you feel comfortable.
Thanks to the advancement of technology, dental procedures are now more comfortable, efficient and less painful than ever before. Plus, most dental practices offer sedation options to help you relax and have a more comfortable experience.
Remember that regular dental check-ups and cleanings can help prevent more serious problems down the road and save you from having to undergo more extensive (and potentially more expensive) treatments later on. So, don’t be scared of the dentist, they are there to help you and want you to have a healthy mouth.
Where to get your dental treatment carried out
If you’re looking for a dental practice that can provide you with the best care and guidance while you have braces, Tandara Dental is the perfect choice.
With over 30 years of experience, skilled and professional dentists, and state-of-the-art equipment, Tandara Dental is dedicated to providing the highest quality of dental care.
From your initial consultation to your final adjustment, Tandara Dental’s team of experts will be with you every step of the way to make sure you receive the best possible treatment and achieve the beautiful, healthy smile you deserve.
