9 Tips to Make Oral Hygiene for Braces Wearers Easier

It is your sole responsibility to maintain the health of your mouth so that your smile and your teeth will last you a lifetime. Proper orthodontic care requires only a little effort with the help of an orthodontist but it is well worth it in the long run. Brushing and flossing your teeth routinely on a daily basis will keep your mouth healthy and happy. Proper orthodontic care requires only a little effort but it is well worth it in the long run.

It is always important to remove plaque from your teeth on a daily basis but it is doubly important if you have braces. The brackets and braces create lots of new places for the bacteria to hide and thrive in.

Plaque is very harmful to your mouth and is a mixture of food, saliva and a lot of bacteria which tend to cause swollen gums, cavities, bad breath and permanently stain your teeth. You should be prepared for caring for your braces properly as it can lead to various other oral diseases like Halitosis and Gingivitis, along with an increased sensitivity of your teeth due to demineralization of your teeth.

Here are 9 tips that you should instill into your oral hygiene routine:

1. Brush Your Teeth After Each Meal

Brushing your teeth isn’t all that different from not having braces as you still use a toothbrush of your choosing such as a power toothbrush or a soft-bristled toothbrush. You should still brush for a full two minutes after every meal and replace your toothbrush every 3 months as the brackets and the wires can tend to wear the bristles down faster.

1. Floss Daily

Ask your dental professional to show you the best way to floss with braces. You can also use a floss that is specially designed to work like a floss threader under the archwire as well as a thread between your teeth and gums daily.

1. Use Different Cleaning Tools Such as a Water Flosser (Waterpik)

You can also opt to use a water flosser if you don’t want to use traditional string floss as this includes a motor and a pump which directs a stream of pressurized water onto your teeth which helps to remove the food particles, plaque and bacteria caught near the gums. Water flossers are also a lot more effective and easier to use than traditional string floss.

1. Use Dental Picks

A dental pick is a thin stick that is made of wood or plastic which you can insert between your teeth while ensuring that the flat part is adjacent to the gums, which you can use to gently remove any food and debris that may be stuck there. Dental picks also allow for better maneuverability in between teeth than floss. Don’t ever force it into tight teeth though.

1. Soak Your Retainers in a Cleaning Agent

Clean your retainers regularly. You can clean your retainer with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste, particularly for the side that is in contact with your teeth and gums. You can also opt to soak your retainer in a cleaning solution overnight. Consult your family orthodontist prior to doing this as he may suggest his own cleaning solutions.

1. Follow a Healthy Diet

Following a healthy diet is important as good nutrition is important to maintain your oral health but you have to be a lot more careful with braces as hard and sticky foods can damage your braces while sugary or acidic foods tend to encourage bacterial growth and increase the risk of tooth decay.

1. Routine Orthodontist Visits

You need to pay your orthodontist routine visits while wearing braces as you will need to have your appliance adjusted from time to time. Routine orthodontic adjustments to your appliances may lead to a slight tightness in your teeth or even some pain, which may require orthodontic treatment. If this pain does not go away soon then you should consult your family orthodontist. Routine visits to your orthodontist allow him/her to monitor your oral health and braces. This will also help your orthodontist spot cavities and gum disease early on and take the necessary preventative measures in time.

Looking after your braces is vital if you want to end up with a perfectly aligned set of teeth and a great smile. Proper oral care is still the best way to get perfectly aligned teeth and a great smile so don’t slack and start taking care of your teeth today with the above 9 tips!