How to Brush Your Teeth When You Have Braces
Getting braces is the first step toward improving your smile, and it is up to you to keep your teeth clean so that you will be ready to flash those pearly whites when they finally come off.
Although brushing teeth with braces does come with a few challenges, it is important to remove food debris that can eventually turn into plaque. As your orthodontist works to improve your smile, here is what you should know about how to brush your teeth once you have braces.
Why is Brushing With Braces So Important?
Usually, people get braces when they’re young enough to have never gone through the pain of having a cavity or other type of oral health problem. While braces today are designed to make it as easy as possible to brush your teeth, traditional metal brackets and wires can still trap food.
Allowing food or drink particles to rest against your teeth sets up the perfect breeding ground for bacteria that cause decay and gum disease. It can also lead to staining that is more visible once your braces come off. The great news is that these problems are all preventable by including toothbrushing and flossing in your daily routine.
How to Brush Your Teeth with Braces
Your orthodontist is your best partner in making sure that your teeth look amazing on the day that your braces are removed. Ask them to show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth before you go home on the day that your braces are placed. For the most part, this will be very similar to the gentle, circular motions that you should already be using now.
Follow up by asking any questions that you have along the way in your next appointments. This way you can learn tips that make brushing with braces easier such as using special interdental brushes or floss threaders to get into those hard-to-reach places.
Make Brushing Your Teeth Part of Your Daily Routine
It is important to make brushing teeth with braces a normal habit that you rarely have to think about since it happens so often. Ideally, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once daily. Most people find this easy to do by simply brushing when they wake up and then again before they go to bed.
With braces, ideally you should brush your teeth shortly after each meal. This will reduce the likelihood of food buildup in your braces, and keep your teeth healthy and strong.
It’s also important to note that you should brush your teeth anytime you notice food stuck in your braces that needs to be removed, and some people prefer to brush and floss an extra time after lunch. This way potential hygiene issues such as bad breath or food stuck in your teeth are taken care of.
Learning how to brush your teeth with braces is an important part of your orthodontic treatment that will ensure that you enjoy the best results possible. Since you already should be brushing your teeth as part of your normal oral hygiene routine, you will pick up new techniques such as using a water flosser or interdental brush quickly. This way, you can look forward to the big reveal when you finally get to see how amazing you look with a straighter, brighter smile.
If you’re interested in learning how braces or invisalign can improve your smile, we offer a free personalized consultation package to all new patients. Contact Pure Smiles Orthodontics today to get the smile you deserve.