With braces, it is more important than ever to keep your teeth and gums their healthiest. Braces and other orthodontic appliances create more opportunities for food particles and bacteria to collect and thrive. That’s why cleaning tips for braces are essential in your oral hygiene routine. Getting braces requires adopting new habits that promote the healthiest environment for your teeth and gums. Fortunately, we have some great cleaning tips for braces that will help you maintain a bright, healthy smile throughout your treatment.
Cleaning Tips
When you have braces you must be diligent in cleaning your teeth to avoid bad breath, swollen gums, discolored teeth and decay. If you remove plaque regularly during treatment, you’ll experience better results and reduced treatment time. Read these tips to help you keep your teeth and braces their cleanest.
- Take it one tooth at a time. Spend at least 10 seconds of brushing on each of your teeth. Make sure to pay close attention to the front side (bracket side) of your teeth, the back of your teeth as well as the chewing surfaces.
- Remember your angles. It is important for gum health to brush the top teeth with your brush angled down and the bottom teeth with your brush angled up. This will keep loose food particles from your teeth and gums and optimize your gum health.
- Always be prepared. To make sure you are taking the best care of your teeth with braces, it is imperative to take a toothbrush and toothpaste with you wherever you go. Having your toothbrush with you will allow you to remove sticky food particles after eating in a timely manner which helps avoid plaque build-up.
- Fluoride is your friend. Fluoride helps prevent cavities. Be sure to brush with fluoride toothpaste. Rinse with fluoride mouthwash at least once a day.
- Floss, floss and floss. Floss your teeth once a day. This is one of the most important cleaning exercises you can do to help prevent gum disease. Flossing will help prevent plaque from building in between your teeth thus reducing your risk of decay. Flossing also helps reduce bad breath.
- See your dentist twice a year. It is your job to clean your teeth every day. Visit your dentist regularly while in treatment, to get the deep, thorough cleaning that only a professional can provide.
- Use a Braces-Friendly Toothpaste: When you have braces, it’s important to use toothpaste that’s specifically designed for braces or one that contains fluoride. Fluoride helps to strengthen the enamel, which can be especially useful for individuals with braces, as their teeth are more prone to plaque buildup and potential cavities. Additionally, braces-friendly toothpaste is often more abrasive, which can help scrub away food particles stuck around brackets and wires.
- Rinse After Every Meal: Even if you can’t brush your teeth immediately after eating, rinsing your mouth with water or a mouthwash can help dislodge food particles from your braces. This simple habit will help keep your mouth cleaner throughout the day and reduce the buildup of plaque and bacteria. Consider carrying a travel-size mouthwash or water bottle with you to make it easier to rinse after meals, especially when you’re on the go.
- Check for Loose Brackets and Wires: While cleaning your teeth, be sure to check for any loose brackets or wires. If any part of your braces becomes loose, it can make cleaning more difficult and can also cause discomfort. If you notice any issues, make sure to contact your orthodontist for adjustments. Catching problems early will prevent further complications and ensure that your treatment continues as planned.
- Avoid Abrasive Cleaning Tools: While it’s important to clean your braces thoroughly, avoid using overly abrasive tools or scrubbing your teeth too hard. Excessive force can damage your gums, wear down your enamel, or even cause your braces to break. Stick to a soft-bristled toothbrush or electric toothbrush to gently clean your teeth and braces. If you’re unsure about any cleaning tool, ask your orthodontist for recommendations on what’s safe to use.
- Stay Consistent with Your Routine: The key to maintaining a healthy smile with braces is consistency. Braces require extra care, but sticking to a routine will make the process smoother. Brush and floss daily, rinse when necessary, and avoid foods that can damage your braces. By making your oral hygiene a priority, you’ll not only ensure that your braces work effectively but also keep your teeth and gums healthy during your orthodontic treatment.
How We Can Help
At Beach Dental Center, we are pleased to provide individualized, caring service because we know that every person and every smile is unique. If you are interested in a beautiful, healthy smile and would like to know if you are a candidate for orthodontic treatment, please request an appointment with us today.
