To keep your teeth clean with braces, brush after every meal and floss daily to prevent plaque buildup and tooth decay. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and electric options designed for braces. Interdental brushes and a water Pik reach areas your toothbrush misses. Regular dental visits for professional cleanings and adjustments are essential. The benefits of brushing include preventing tooth decay, reducing gum inflammation, and maintaining white teeth.

The Importance of Brushing

Regular brushing is essential to prevent tooth decay, reduce gum inflammation, and maintain white teeth. With braces, it’s definitely important because food becomes trapped in the wires and brackets without you realizing. Acidic or sugary foods left in the braces leads to decay (cavities). Using a toothbrush designed for braces help reach those difficult spots. The bristles should be soft to avoid damaging the braces but effective at removing food particles and plaque. Electric toothbrushes are helpful as they often come with settings designed for braces.

Effective Flossing Techniques

Effective flossing techniques include choosing the right tools, preparing the floss, flossing between teeth, cleaning along the gumline, using interdental brushes, rinsing with a water Pik, and repeating these steps daily.

1. Choose the Right Tools – Select flossing tools that are designed for braces, such as handheld flossers (platypus flossers), floss threaders, or a water Pik. Waxed floss is recommended as it’s less likely to shred on the braces and wires.
2. Prepare the Floss – Cut a piece about 18 inches long, if using traditional floss. Use a floss threader to guide the floss under the main wire of your braces.
3. Floss Between Teeth: Slide the floss between your teeth, moving it up and down along the sides of both teeth. Avoid snapping the floss, as it damage your gums.
4. Clean Along the Gumline: Curve the floss around the base of each tooth and slide it under the gumline. This helps remove plaque that leads to gum disease.
5. Use Interdental Brushes: Use interdental brushes in areas that are difficult to reach with regular floss. These small brushes cleans around brackets and under wires effectively.
6. Rinse with Water Pik: Use a water Pik to flush out any remaining debris and plaque. Direct the stream of water along the gumline and between the teeth for thorough cleaning.
7. Repeat Daily: Floss at least once a day to keep your gums healthy and free from plaque buildup.

Why Professional Cleanings and Check-Ups Are Important

Professional cleanings and check-ups remove plaque and tartar, monitor oral health, and adjust your braces. Regular visits to your orthodontist and dentist are vital when you have braces. Professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar that brushing and flossing might miss. Your orthodontist check your braces and make any necessary adjustments to ensure they are working effectively. It’s recommended to visit your dentist every six months for a cleaning and check-up. Your orthodontist will provide a schedule for adjustments, which usually occur every 4-6 weeks.

What Foods to Avoid When You Have Braces

The foods to avoid when you have braces are sticky foods like caramel and chewing gum, and hard foods like nuts and popcorn. These foods damage your braces or get stuck in the wires and brackets. Opt for softer foods that are easier to clean out of your braces. Cutting fruits and vegetables into smaller pieces make them easier to eat without causing damage.

What to Do in Case of Problems

Contact your orthodontist immediately if you experience pain, swelling, or any issues with your braces. They provide advice on handling the situation and schedule an appointment if necessary. Common issues include broken brackets, loose wires, and sores in the mouth. Over-the-counter dental wax are applied to brackets and wires to reduce irritation to your cheeks and gums.

Keeping teeth clean with braces requires diligent care to clean between brackets and wires. Regular dental check-ups ensure proper maintenance and prevent issues like plaque buildup or cavities. Contact us to schedule an appointment with Dr. T. C. Hardy at  Taft Hill Orthodontics of Longmont to help keep teeth clean with braces.