If you’ve recently had braces fitted, there are many things to learn about keeping your teeth clean with the newly-mounted orthodontics. While the braces work to correct teeth alignment, it’s important that you learn new ways to keep your teeth clean and healthy.
Braces, with all the grooves and tiny spaces, can trap food particles and cause plaque build-up. Today, we’ll share the teeth cleaning tips and tricks you need to know to ensure your braces can do their job and your teeth remain healthy and strong during the straightening process.
1. Brush After All Your Meals
The wires on your braces are prone to catching food particles. So if you do not brush immediately after meals, this debris might lead to plaque. In addition to food particles, acidic foods and drinks can contribute to plaque and bacteria build-up, including:
- Orange or Other Fruit Juices
- Pineapples and Other Fruits
- Sodas or Carbonated Drinks
- Tomatoes and Other Vegetables
2. Get Yourself a Braces-Friendly Toothbrushes
There are specialized toothbrushes designed to keep your enamel clean and effectively brush your teeth with mounted orthodontics. These brushes come with specific features that help brush the teeth without damaging the braces.
So when buying a specialized toothbrush post-braces, make sure that they are:
- Soft-bristled that are flexible
- Round-headed
- Narrow-necked
- With flexible handle
These orthodontics toothbrushes are super-effective against plaque and food particles within your braces. And since they are smaller than regular toothbrushes, they can reach the hard-to-reach places around your braces. Check out both manual and electric toothbrushes for the best results.
3. No More than a Drop of Toothpaste
No need to lather your toothbrush with paste to keep teeth clean with orthodontics. All you need is a coin-size amount so it does not create too much foam. Always wet your brush and dab it around your teeth instead of brushing or scrubbing.
The goal is to properly clean your teeth and eliminate any food particles without applying too much pressure to your hardware. So if you scrub, it can make the wires and braces feel uncomfortable. Ask your dentist today about the best toothbrushing techniques for your dental hygiene.
Ask Our Team How to Keep Teeth Clean with Orthodontics
In conclusion, there are some changes in dental hygiene habits post-braces. So if you want to keep your teeth clean with orthodontics, consider these three crucial tips! Contact Dr. Patricia Fleming at (972) 530-6703 for more information on orthodontics and dental specialty.