Braces are orthodontic equipment that can have significant benefits for your teeth. However, while your braces are working to realign or straighten your teeth, you have to figure out how to work around them for eating, speaking, and, most importantly, dental hygiene.
Braces create more places where food, debris, and plaque can become trapped against your teeth. Without careful cleaning, they can increase your risk of tooth decay.
At Trident Dental of Houston, Texas, our team, led by Dr. Prerna Mathur, Dr. Saeed Ahmadi, and Dr. Dennis Reidmiller, teaches our patients how to keep their teeth clean after getting braces put in place. Here are some of our best practical tips and tricks for handling dental hygiene when you have braces.
Rinse frequently
You’d be surprised at how much of an oral health benefit you can get from just rinsing your mouth after you eat! It’s also a good idea to rinse your mouth out with water before you start your tooth brushing routine. Mouthwash is a must to finish off each day, leaving your mouth as clean as possible overnight.
Brush with care
It’s important to keep the area between your braces’ brackets and your gums clean and free of food and other debris. Brush after every meal, as well as in the morning and before bed.
You should always use a soft toothbrush to clean your teeth when you have braces. Brush your teeth for two minutes, making sure to clean every one of your teeth. It’s a good idea to go light with toothpaste when you have braces.
Angle the brush downward when you’re cleaning the top part of your teeth and braces, and angle the brush upward to handle the bottoms of your teeth and braces.
Focus on flossing
Flossing is just as important as ever when you have braces. You may benefit from using a floss threader or Waterpik to clean around your braces. Interproximal brushes designed to reach into nooks and crannies in your mouth may also help keep your braces as clean as possible.
Keep a kit
Since you need to clean your teeth pretty frequently when you have braces, packing a dental travel kit can simplify your life. An easy-to-carry container with a toothbrush, floss, and toothpaste could be a good addition to your basic preparation whenever you leave home.
Ask about Invisalign®
In addition to traditional braces, the team at Trident Dental offers Invisalign clear aligners. Invisalign can give you the same great orthodontic results with a lot less hassle. With Invisalign, you can take your alignment trays out as needed to eat or brush and floss your teeth. If you’re concerned about the upkeep with braces, ask our team if Invisalign could be right for you.
For more information on life with braces and how to care for them, contact the friendly team at Trident Dental. Schedule your initial consultation appointment online, or call 281-975-4942 to book today.