When you have braces placed on your teeth, your dentist should explain proper care & hygiene for your new smile in the making. However, it can be difficult to remember specifics, so here’s a helpful guide to keep your mouth healthy while traditional braces with brackets are attached.
Smaller Is Better
Obviously brushing often is still important to maintain oral health, but the type of brush you use may have to change. Brushes that are too large will not be able to be angled into the many additional crevices that braces create. Make sure to use a brush with a small head & angle it so that you are getting in between areas where your teeth are still exposed so that all small food particles are removed. Ensuring your teeth stay free of plaque buildup will also help prevent stains or discoloration between exposed parts of the teeth & where teeth are covered by brackets.
A Light Touch
Brushing lightly with soft bristles will help remove food particles without damaging the enamel that protects your teeth. Gingerly brushing can also help prevent any sharp pulling on braces if a bristle happens to get stuck in a bracket. While this is very unlikely, it will also give you the benefit of adjusting to the new way your mouth will feel when brushing.
Rinse & Repeat
Using mouthwash will help rinse out unwanted food particles & prevent growth of harmful bacteria. Often, flossing will have to be done with a pick, so ensuring that all three parts of your brushing routine are in place will mitigate the increased risk of tooth decay while you build new healthy habits.
Using these techniques & brushing after meals will help you stay healthy during your treatment. Should anything happen during your braces treatment that your dentist didn’t cover, though, it’s always best to reach out & schedule an exam to see what may be happening.