How To Maintain Good Oral Hygiene With Braces

Maintaining oral hygiene is a must under any condition, especially when wearing dental braces. Every orthodontist will advise you to be careful with it. 

When wearing braces, food particles may be caught in the brackets and wires. In such a condition, you may face further complexities like swollen gums, yellowed teeth, bad breath, and even permanent stains on teeth.

If you have braces, you must be extra conscious with oral hygiene. Don’t worry—you are in the right place. This blog discusses an orthodontist’s guide to oral hygiene to adhere to during braces treatment. So, without further ado, let’s get started with the discussion.

How To Maintain Oral Hygiene With Braces 

Metal braces have been an effective treatment in treating a wide range of dental issues like gapped teeth, croked teeth, and crowded teeth. Apart from them, they are also helpful in bite problems like underbites and bites.

However, maintaining oral hygiene with braces on becomes difficult. Discuss this with a Spokane Valley orthodontist, and they can guide you in maintaining oral hygiene while wearing them. Here are the tips you can follow:

1. Brushing After You Eat

You must consciously brush your teeth after every meal. It is the best way to prevent food particles from getting stuck in the braces. 

The practice demands your awareness and prevents food particles from damaging your gums while you wear these braces.  

2. Proper Tooth Brushing Techniques

While you are wearing the braces, brush your teeth gently. Point the toothbrush at the gum line below the braces and gently pressurize along the gums. 

In addition, it is better to use a small-headed toothbrush with bristles. Consult an orthodontist who can explain the technique to prevent damage to your braces.

3. Rinsing With Water

One of the most effective ways to maintain braces is rinsing your mouth with water. It’s a good and practical idea, especially when you aren’t brushing. 

Rinsing your mouth gently several times throughout the day helps to dislodge food particles stuck with braces and cause damage to the teeth. 

4. Flossing: The Orthodontist’s Way

Flossing is a great routine to keep teeth free from germs. You have to brush and floss even when you are wearing braces. It is a necessary step towards oral hygiene. 

Orthodontists recommend that you use waxed floss. They are most suited under the conditions. 

First, thread the floss under the wire before passing between the teeth. Then, gently rub the waxed floss on the tooth’s surface. Next, weave the floss gently through the gap between the teeth. Do the entire procedure slowly, and take your time. 

5. Do Not Eat The Following Food While Wearing Braces

You must be aware of the selection of food when going through orthodontic braces treatment.

You should NOT eat ice cream, Taffy, Bagels (cut them into pieces), caramel, Popcorn, Peanut brittle, hard rock candy, or gum while under treatment. Food selection without them helps maintain your braces a lot better. 

6. Professional Cleanings

Notwithstanding maintaining the steps mentioned above while wearing braces, you have to visit a professional for optimal care.

 A dentist can check everything in your mouth to see if your oral hygiene routine produces results. 

Maintaining comprehensive dental hygiene, especially while wearing braces, invites challenges. However, you must be alert and follow the orthodontist’s guide to oral hygiene to expedite treatment. Although following them might take time, they effectively maintain your teeth even when undergoing braces treatment.