Once you start wearing braces, you are on your way to straighter teeth and a beautiful smile for life. Taking care of your braces and your teeth during this time will help ensure that you get the results you want. Braces present a unique challenge that requires more home care than usual, but the payoff is well worth it. Continue reading to learn more about the best home care practices while wearing braces.
To learn more about invisible braces, schedule an appointment with Trident General Dentistry.
The Importance of Plaque Removal
Dental plaque is that pale yellow, almost invisible, sticky film that constantly forms on everyone’s teeth. If it stays on your teeth too long, it forms a hard substance known as tartar that requires professional removal. While it may take several months for plaque to cause tooth decay, gum inflammation begins in just a few days.
Unfortunately, the problem of plaque worsens when you wear braces due to the challenge of removing trapped food particles every day. As a result, plaque accumulates and begins its destructive processes. In addition to cavities and gum disease, plaque can also decalcify tooth enamel, resulting in permanent stains. The potential harm caused by plaque calls for a strong commitment to daily oral hygiene while you have your teeth straightened.
Brushing Your Teeth with Braces
You realize soon after wearing braces that food quickly collects on your teeth around all the metal components of your braces. Therefore, brush as soon as possible after eating a meal or snack whenever possible. You may consider taking a travel toothbrush when away from home in case you have the opportunity to brush after eating out. If you cannot brush, vigorously swishing with water can help dislodge food particles from your braces.
At least twice each day, brush your teeth and braces thoroughly. This requires more than the recommended two minutes you brush without braces. Always be sure that you have your teeth as clean as possible before going to bed each evening.
The Best Toothbrush for Braces
The right toothbrush is an indispensable part of home maintenance for your braces. You will want to replace your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head more often than usual. This is due to brushing your teeth more than usual and the wear and tear on toothbrush bristles by the metal brackets and wires. Features to consider when choosing a toothbrush while wearing braces include:
-
Small brush head. You need to reach every part of each tooth in a space crowded by the components of your braces. A small head accomplishes this better and helps you keep the gum line around each tooth free of dental plaque.
-
Soft, rounded toothbrush bristles. You want to keep your teeth and gums clean without harming them with hard brush bristles. Soft, rounded bristles have been shown to clean while protecting your mouth effectively.
-
Bristles designed to dislodge. Choosing a brush with varying lengths and widths of bristles makes dislodging food particles easier and more effective.
-
Comfortable handle. Toothbrush handles come in all shapes and sizes. Choose one with a handle that you find comfortable. This becomes an essential feature because you will spend much more time brushing your teeth while wearing braces.
Manual or Electric Toothbrush for Braces
Studies conducted by the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics show superior plaque removal by electric toothbrushes compared to manual toothbrushes. The advantages of electric toothbrushes include:
-
Deeper cleaning. Electric toothbrushes move fluids more efficiently between teeth to dislodge hard-to-reach food particles.
-
Custom cleaning modes. You typically can choose the cleaning mode most comfortable for your needs.
-
Timer. Most electric toothbrushes include a timer to ensure you brush long enough.
Whether you choose a manual or electric toothbrush, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy with the regular use of a high-quality toothbrush.
The Best Toothpaste for Braces
You face many options when you buy toothpaste today. Specialized products offer features that appeal to almost every need imaginable. While wearing braces, there are only a few considerations to keep in mind. Most dentists recommend you choose a toothpaste that:
-
Contains fluoride.
-
Helps with sensitivity.
-
Controls tartar.
-
Has the American Dental Association Seal of Approval.
-
Does not contain whitening products.
-
Has a taste that is favorable to you.
Flossing With Braces
Less than one-third of Americans floss their teeth without wearing braces. This explains why flossing is considered as the most challenging part of wearing traditional metal braces. However, flossing to remove plaque buildup between your teeth is more important than ever while wearing braces. When you wear braces, you will need some help to floss effectively. Several of the common devices used to floss with braces include:
-
Floss threaders. These are helpful devices to get dental floss under orthodontic wires. They are easy to use and effectively remove plaque from the sides of teeth and under the gumline. They are disposable and excellent to carry with you when eating away from home.
-
Interdental brushes. Dentists typically recommend using interdental brushes in addition to flossing. The research demonstrates that you can remove more dental plaque with interdental brushes than floss. Maybe it is the long history of the effectiveness of floss that makes dentists reluctant to replace it entirely with interdental brushes. These devices can make plaque removal much easier when you wear braces.
-
Water flossers. This device requires more financial investment but is the easiest way to clean between your teeth with braces. Studies also show water flossers are more effective than dental floss to remove dental plaque. Water flossers spray a stream of water between your teeth to remove plaque easily and quickly.
The Advantages of ClearCorrect Invisible Braces
Oral hygiene is crucial no matter what kind of braces you choose. Although traditional metal braces have been used effectively for many years, they make keeping your teeth and gums clean particularly challenging. A popular option for metal braces is invisible braces such as ClearCorrect. The custom-made clear aligners used to straighten your teeth can be removed to allow you to brush and floss normally. In addition to making home care easier, ClearCorrect offers other advantages to traditional braces, such as:
-
Virtually invisible option to metal brackets and wires.
-
Comfortable plastic aligners that eliminate the mouth sore caused by traditional braces.
-
Removable aligners that allow you to eat the foods you usually eat.
Schedule an Appointment
The goal of our team at Trident General Dentistry is to help you maintain optimal oral hygiene and have the smile you want. Contact us for a comprehensive oral examination to learn more about invisible braces and our other cosmetic dental services.