For most patients, the hardest part of wearing braces is the beginning of wearing them. While many patients deal with mouth soreness, many patients immediately cope with the initial soreness and carry on, not considering the afterlife of braces. Teeth cleaning for braces is critical because brackets and wires have many nooks and crannies, trapping food and plaque, risking tooth decay and gum problems later on.  Before we start with tips on brushing, let’s talk about best practices before we brush.   

Be mindful of your diet. Keep solid and crunchy foods at a distant. Any type of food that requires biting down with force is only going to increase pain and irritation in your mouth. Think about other soft foods and the do’s and don’ts of eating during your treatment. Consider soups, yogurt, pudding, and other soft, bland foods during this initial time.

Oral care and fluoride products.

While we all know that fluoride protection against tooth decay is something that we will need throughout our lives, this is most critical when wearing braces. Wearing braces makes it much harder to clean your teeth, resulting in higher than normal accumulation of plaques, causing cavities. Your dentist will give you the information about what kind of products to use but keep in mind that there are brands that might contain abrasive and harsh ingredients, compromising the braces.

Brushing.  While it may seem basic, braces make brushing more strategic.

• If you have been fitted with elastics, remove them before brushing.  

• With a soft compact toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, brush your teeth at a 45- degree angle against the gums. Use a small circular motion on each tooth.

• Taking about 10 seconds on each tooth, brush in a set pattern, ensuring each tooth is brushed.

• Gently brush the braces, pressing your toothbrush enough so that the bristles spread into the gaps of the wire and the tooth. It is important to brush around the brackets and wires, ensuring that you brush under the wires. Many patients find a battery power toothbrush helpful.    

• Remember that there is an inside surface and an outside surface of your teeth. Be mindful of brushing both sides on each tooth.  

Tri-Cities Orthodontic Specialists strive to make our patient experience as pleasant as possible whether their concerns be clinical or financial. We want to ensure that our patients are excited about their orthodontic treatment outcome and relaxed during each visit. Our goal is to meet each patient needs to the best of our ability. Call us today:  276.642.0043. Located in Located in Bristol, VA 24202.

Sources:
https://www.absolutedental.com/blog/5-tips-on-caring-for-metal-braces/
https://www.jwjordan.com/youll-need-these-7-expert-tips-for-brushing-your-teeth-with-braces/
https://www.colgateprofessional.com/education/patient-education/topics/orthodontics/protecting-your-healthy-smile-while-wearing-braces
https://www.tnbraces.com/blog/2019/3/13/eating-during-your-orthodontic-treatment-the-dos-and-donts