Taking care of braces can be a challenge! If you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment, braces and wires make it a bit tougher to maintain good oral hygiene. Nobody wants to see puffy, swollen gums and white spots on their teeth the day their braces come off, and this can be prevented by taking some extra care while the braces are on. Our goal is for you to have a beautiful healthy smile! We’ll make sure you have the tools and knowhow to make it happen. Every OrthoArts patient is provided with one-on-one hygiene instructions and a hygiene kit the day they start treatment, but here are a few tips to help with keeping those teeth and gums clean and healthy:
- Brush after every meal or snack: Food and plaque can get caught in orthodontic appliances. It’s not just unsightly- the bacteria in the mouth eat the same things you do, causing cavities while they’re at it. Got a motorized toothbrush? Use it! All of our patients in braces have “Christmas Tree” or proxabrush mini toothbrushes in their hygiene kits to carry along with them to school or work to help clean underneath braces and wires. As for regular toothbrushes, soft bristles are the only way to go.
- Floss daily: The same food and plaque that gets stuck between teeth and braces will cause gum disease, but daily flossing will keep gum disease at bay. Flossing with braces doesn’t have to be an ordeal- we recommend Platypus flossers and Water Flossers.
- Use fluoride mouth rinse: Regular mouthwash is great for helping you rinse away the particles your toothbrush may have missed, but using a fluoride mouth rinse like ACT will help prevent cavities from forming.
- See your general dentist regularly for checkups: Make sure you’re keeping up with your regular checkup and cleaning appointments with your general dentist throughout treatment! We recommend having a cleaning every 3 months while the braces are on. When you’re making your appointment for your cleaning, let us know! We’d be happy to take your wire out before your appointment so your hygienist and dentist can have an easier time cleaning your teeth and checking for cavities.
