Tips for Dental Hygiene with Braces

Braces are amazing! They can improve your smile’s health and appearance just within one treatment. Although braces will help you obtain the smile of your dreams, some difficulties come with having braces. Patients struggle with knowing how to keep their teeth clean and maintain oral hygiene while undergoing treatment. We understand that having braces makes it difficult to clean your teeth like you used to, but with this post, we hope to give you some tips for dental hygiene with braces. 

 

Brush Your Teeth! 

Brushing your teeth is always important, but even more so when you have braces. This at least twice-a-day activity is essential in removing excess food, plaque, and debris from not only your teeth but your braces as well. If possible, we recommend you brush three times-a-day.

Brushing after every meal, including snacks, is recommended by experts to keep your braces as clean as possible and prevent unwanted stains on the teeth. However, if you don’t do that, you should clean your teeth at least twice a day, in the morning and before bed. Instead of brushing your teeth more frequently, you can rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash many times a day to help release lodged food particles. 

 

Tips for Dental Hygiene with Braces 

1.It is an excellent idea to start your morning and night oral hygiene routine by rinsing your mouth with water. By doing this, you are releasing any particles that have been lodged in your teeth or your braces. 

 

2.Brush your teeth with either a regular toothbrush or an interdental brush. Interdental brushes help patients clean between each wire and bracket. If you are using a regular toothbrush, tilt the brush to a 45-degree angle to help reach all deep points within the braces. 

 

3.We all know that flossing with braces and a permanent retainer can take some time and might be annoying, but flossing is so important, even more so with braces. Use a floss threader to reach each space properly. Flossing WILL get easier the more you do it. 

 

Maintain Routine Cleanings With Your Dentist 

The American Dental Association recommends that each person should go to their general dentist to receive a professional cleaning and dental exam twice a year. By doing this, people can prevent dental issues from arising, maintain oral health and cleanliness, and stop existing problems from worsening. 

Coastal Orthodontics encourages each of our patients to be diligent in receiving these bi-yearly cleanings, especially while undergoing orthodontic treatment. Braces tend to get food and plaque stuck in them. Sometimes it may be hard to reach on your own. A dental professional can help you ensure that your teeth remain clean at a dental cleaning. 

Along with having routine dental cleanings and exams with your dentist, you must see us as well. There will be an assigned amount of time throughout your treatment between each of your orthodontic check-up visits. We ask that you stay up to date with those to continue your smile progression. Missing your regular orthodontic treatments can cause your orthodontic journey to take longer than originally planned.

 

If You Have Dental Hygiene Questions, Ask Your Orthodontist!

Each one of our team members at Coastal Orthodontics is rooting for you. Therefore we are always here to answer any questions or concerns. We would love to help you, help yourself, maintain a clean and healthy smile while having orthodontic work completed. 

Are you in the Beaufort, South Carolina area and need an orthodontic consultation or tips on how to maintain a clean smile? Please give our office a call. Our team full of orthodontic specialists is here and ready to help you have the most beautiful and healthy smile possible!