Starting down the path to a beautiful smile with orthodontic treatment can be an exciting adventure. It is important that you still practice proper oral hygiene when you have braces in Glendale. Failure to provide this care will result in the accumulation of plaque, tooth decay and gum disease.

Brush After Every Meal

Because braces also open up new areas for food to become stuck in, they add extra opportunities for plaque to form. You can avoid this by brushing your teeth properly after each meal and snack. Brush with a soft bristled tooth brush and fluoride tooth paste. Be sure to take extra time to brush around the brackets and wires to clear out anything that may be stuck in there. It also helps to keep the mouth clean and decreases your chance of tooth decay and gum disease.

Floss Daily

Brushing with braces is difficult, but even more so is flossing, which is key to cleaning plaque and food from in between teeth and around the gumline. You can use a floss threader or orthodontic floss to guide the floss under the wires. A water flosser can also remove debris that natural floss may have missed. However, brushing and flossing are good habits to promote due to its preventative benefits on gums and teeth.

Use Interdental Brushes

These are small, cone-shaped brushes that can clean between your teeth and around your braces more effectively than a standard toothbrush. They assist in removing plaque and food debris from hard to reach areas such as in between brackets and wires. Frequent use of IDB can be an effective approach to enhance oral hygiene in orthodontic patients.

Rinse with Mouthwash

Adding an antimicrobial or fluoride mouthwash to your hydration habit can help you keep plaque at bay and keep tooth enamel strong. After brushing and flossing, rinse your mouth well so that there is no areas difficult to clean by tooth brushing alone. Opt for an alcohol-free mouthwash to prevent irritation of the gums.

Avoid Certain Foods
There are even a few foods that can break braces, or get stuck in them and be so hard to clean that they contribute to tooth decay. Stay away from sticky foods like caramel, chewing gum, and taffy, and hard foods like nuts, ice, and popcorn. They can also pop off brackets or bend wires, which will result in treatment taking longer. Choose foods that are less likely to break teeth, and are easier to keep clean, such as softer food.

Regular Dental Check-ups Are A Must

Keeping up with your orthodontic appointments is very important while you have braces. Professional cleaning removes tartar that your brush and floss might have missed, and will give your orthodontist an opportunity to check on your treatment, make any needed adjustments, and answer any questions. These appointments allow for your care to be monitored and to catch problems early.

Keep up with a Good Oral Hygiene Regimen

Oral hygiene is all about being consistent. Establish elastic schedule for brushing, flossing and rinsing at specific hours. It allows you to create habits that will stick, and makes sure you don’t skip any steps in your oral care. If reminders are not set, the use of a timer can help with this routine.

By practicing these vital oral care habits, you can keep your braces treatment on course and emerge with a healthy and beautiful smile. Remember, attention during your course of treatment will lead to a confident and health smile that will last a lifetime.

For more details about Glendale Orthodontist please visit our website: goorthopasadena.com