Be Sure to take Care of Your Teeth While Wearing Braces
If you’re wearing braces, you know it’s a little more difficult to keep your oral hygiene in check. Braces require more effort to make sure your teeth are clean with metal wires covering some of your tooth surface. Good oral hygiene during the time you have them is crucial so you don’t create other problems for your teeth. It’s also crucial to maintain a regular checkup and professional cleaning schedule with Dr. Angela S. Evanson, DDS, even though you see your Orthodontist.
What is the Best Way to Care for Your Teeth While Wearing Braces?
Braces will straighten your teeth and create an aesthetically beautiful smile, but it also makes oral care more critical due to plaque build-up. Taking extra care of your teeth while wearing them will help prevent other problems after they are removed. Following are some tips that will help care for your teeth while wearing braces:
- Remove rubber bands, expanders, and other removable parts before brushing your teeth.
- Rinse your mouth by swishing with warm water to remove food particles that may be stuck in your braces.
- Use an American Dental Association (ADA) approved soft-bristled toothbrush. Your toothbrush should have a smaller head to clean your teeth and your braces.
- Interdental toothbrushes for brushing under your wires are beneficial.
- Brush your teeth after each meal or snack to properly keep them clean. If you are in a place where brushing is difficult to do, make sure to rinse your mouth with warm water.
- Clean all tooth surfaces, front, back, and top, and near the gum line.
- Maintain your regular dental checkups and professional cleaning every six months. This is especially critical while you are wearing braces. Cavities and inflammation of the gums are more common while you are wearing braces, so a dental examination is crucial.
Flossing Your Teeth
Flossing your teeth is challenging while wearing braces, but it is crucial for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. The market is filled with flossing tools that will help make it easier to floss between your teeth! Following are a few examples:
- Orthodontic floss threader – makes threading the floss behind the wires much easier.
- Waxed floss – Unwaxed floss gets caught in the braces, leaving small pieces of floss behind. This can cause tenderness or inflammation in your teeth.
- WaterPik and other water flossers use water to remove food and clean plaque from between teeth and under the gums. It also removes debris from the brackets on your braces.
Keep Scheduled Appointments with Your Orthodontist
Stay on track with your orthodontist. When you skip an orthodontic appointment, your braces invariably need to stay on longer, which can damage your teeth. Most orthodontic treatment plans are from 18 months to three years. Staying on track with your orthodontic plan, means the braces will come off sooner!
Regular appointments with your orthodontist and with Dr. Evanson will benefit you during this important time of your life.
Whitening Your Teeth After Braces
Try as you might, there may be some staining and discoloration after your braces are removed. Regular brushing, flossing, and checkups with professional cleanings may not completely prevent discoloration.
Don’t get too concerned if you notice some staining, it is a common condition. Dr. Evanson offers the latest techniques to brighten almost everyone’s smile.
Make an appointment with Dr. Evanson by calling (720) 409-0008 or contact us online. Dr. Evanson will help restore a beautiful white smile to accompany your wonderful straightened teeth.
Braces require extra effort on your part, but it’s a worthwhile venture to enjoy a beautiful smile!
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