How to Clean Braces 101
People often believe that the most difficult part of having braces is keeping the teeth, gums and braces in excellent condition.
For some of us, braces make it even more difficult to get to the nooks and crevices that our toothbrushes may sometimes miss. However, this is why dentists recommend that we do all we can to improve our oral hygiene and develop an all-inclusive routine and stick to it.
We are taught from a very young age how to clean our teeth, but this routine shouldn’t extend to orthodontic treatment. If you are looking to improve your oral hygiene routine, keep reading for some excellent tips and tricks.
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Invest in an electric toothbrush
The first thing to consider when developing your new oral hygiene routine is what type of toothbrush you’re using. Dental experts constantly recommend electric toothbrushes to their patients as they are an excellent tool to use to properly clean the mouth. The vibrating property of the toothbrush is great as it moves and rotates the toothbrush head, reaching the crevices that a manual toothbrush can’t.
We recommend electric toothbrushes, but it is important to note that manual toothbrushes can also work with braces just as well, only if they are used properly. This can be difficult for some people, especially younger individuals if they cannot reach the more problem areas of the mouth. An electric toothbrush does it all for you!
Purchase interdental sticks
As well as being told to brush our teeth twice daily in normal circumstances and three times when we have braces, experts recommend that we floss our teeth and gums too.
With braces, normal dental floss can be difficult to use due to the brackets and wires on and over our teeth. The perfect solution to this is to purchase interdental sticks says this dentist in Las Vegas NV. These are mini toothbrushes and are designed to go in between the brace wires and even in between the teeth.
Even if you have clear braces, orthodontists recommend that you use interdental sticks to reach the places your toothbrush can’t. The team at ALIGNERCO love advising their patients on the different types of orthodontic treatment available and how to care for your teeth.
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Use mouthwash
As well as an electric toothbrush and interdental sticks, we recommend that you purchase mouthwash and include it in your daily routine.
Mouthwash acts as a great way to rid the mouth of bacteria throughout the day. You can choose different flavours, but it is suggested that you use one with fluoride. Rinsing the mouth serves as a great preventative measure for cavities and gum disease as sometimes brushing doesn’t get to the plaque. With this, bacteria may build up and cause oral health issues. Fluoride counteracts this by blasting the unhealthy bacteria in our mouths.
Overall, the main point you should take away from this article is that having an all-inclusive hygiene routine is essential to maintaining oral health with braces. Just remember to floss, brush, then use a rinse around thirty minutes after brushing!
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.