Maintaining good oral hygiene while wearing braces can be a challenge, but it’s essential for ensuring the long-term health of your teeth and gums.
Braces are a fantastic tool for improving the alignment of your teeth, but they also require additional care to prevent issues such as cavities, gum disease, and discolouration.
In this article, we will guide you through effective ways to maintain oral hygiene with braces, helping you keep your smile healthy during the course of your orthodontic treatment.
If you’re unsure about any of the techniques or tools, the professionals at Elwood Dental Group can provide advice tailored to your needs.
The Importance of Oral Hygiene with Braces
How Braces Affect Oral Hygiene
Braces are designed to straighten your teeth, but they can also create challenges for cleaning your mouth. The brackets and wires can trap food particles and plaque, making it easier for bacteria to accumulate.
If plaque is not removed properly, it can lead to cavities, gum inflammation, or even permanent tooth damage.
Good oral hygiene during this time is not just about maintaining clean teeth but also preventing any complications that could delay your treatment or require additional dental procedures.
The Consequences of Poor Oral Hygiene with Braces
Neglecting oral hygiene while wearing braces can lead to:
- Tooth Decay: Trapped food particles and plaque can cause cavities, especially around the brackets and wires.
- Gum Disease: Poor cleaning can result in gum inflammation or gingivitis, leading to bleeding gums and discomfort.
- White Spots: Failing to clean properly can result in demineralisation of the enamel, leaving white spots on your teeth after the braces are removed.
- Staining: Plaque buildup can lead to discolouration of your teeth, which may not be easily removed after your braces are taken off.
Steps to Maintain Oral Hygiene with Braces
1. Brush Your Teeth After Every Meal
Brushing your teeth after every meal is essential when wearing braces. It helps remove food particles and plaque that may have accumulated around the brackets and wires.
Brushing immediately after eating reduces the chances of plaque hardening into tartar, which can only be removed by a dentist or hygienist.
Brushing Tips for Braces:
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush: Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles to avoid damaging the brackets or your gums.
- Brush for two minutes: Make sure to brush for at least two minutes, giving attention to every tooth and around the brackets.
- Angle your toothbrush: Tilt your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle towards the gum line and use gentle, circular motions.
- Clean the brackets: Brush gently around the brackets to ensure food and plaque are removed. Pay attention to the spaces between the brackets and teeth.
2. Use an Interdental Brush or Proxy Brush
While a regular toothbrush is effective for the outer surfaces of your teeth, an interdental or proxy brush can help clean areas between the brackets and wires where a standard toothbrush might miss.
These small, tapered brushes are designed to fit between the braces and are ideal for removing food and plaque from hard-to-reach spots.
How to Use an Interdental Brush:
- Insert the brush between the teeth and brackets: Gently move the brush back and forth to clean the spaces.
- Be gentle: Avoid applying too much pressure to prevent damaging your braces or gums.
- Clean the whole mouth: Use the interdental brush to clean between every tooth, especially around the brackets.
3. Floss Daily
Flossing is an essential step in maintaining oral hygiene with braces. It removes plaque and food particles from between your teeth and under the gum line, areas that a toothbrush cannot effectively clean.
Flossing with braces can be a little tricky, but using a floss threader or orthodontic floss can make the process easier.
Flossing Tips for Braces:
- Use waxed floss: Waxed floss is less likely to fray when navigating the wires of your braces.
- Use a floss threader: This tool helps you thread the floss behind the braces and under the archwire.
- Be gentle: Slide the floss gently between your teeth to avoid damaging the brackets or wires.
4. Rinse with Mouthwash
Mouthwash is a great addition to your daily oral hygiene routine when wearing braces. It helps to kill bacteria, reduce plaque, and freshen your breath.
Mouthwash can also help reduce inflammation and promote overall gum health, especially if you have any irritation or bleeding gums from wearing braces.
How to Choose the Right Mouthwash:
- Look for antibacterial mouthwash: Choose a mouthwash with antibacterial properties to help reduce plaque and bacteria.
- Avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes: Alcohol can cause dry mouth, which is not ideal for people with braces.
- Choose fluoride mouthwash: Fluoride mouthwashes help strengthen enamel and prevent cavities, which is crucial when wearing braces.
5. Use a Water Flosser
A water flosser, or oral irrigator, is an excellent tool for cleaning around braces. It uses a pulsating stream of water to remove food particles and plaque from between teeth and around the brackets.
While a water flosser should not replace traditional flossing, it can be a useful addition to your oral care routine.
Benefits of Using a Water Flosser:
- Effective plaque removal: The high-pressure water jet helps remove food particles and bacteria.
- Gentle on gums: The water stream is gentle, reducing the risk of gum irritation or bleeding.
- Easy to use: A water flosser is easy to use and especially helpful for people with braces or other dental appliances.
6. Watch Your Diet
Certain foods can cause damage to your braces or make it more difficult to maintain clean teeth.
Sticky foods, hard candies, and chewy snacks can get stuck in your braces and are difficult to clean out. Additionally, sugary foods can contribute to plaque buildup and increase the risk of cavities.
Foods to Avoid with Braces:
- Sticky foods: Caramels, taffy, and gum can get stuck in your braces and are challenging to remove.
- Hard foods: Nuts, hard candies, and ice can break or damage your braces.
- Sugary snacks and drinks: These contribute to plaque buildup and increase the risk of cavities.
7. Attend Regular Dental Checkups
Even with an excellent home care routine, it’s essential to visit your dentist regularly for checkups and professional cleanings.
Regular visits allow your dentist to monitor the progress of your orthodontic treatment and identify any issues such as plaque buildup, cavities, or gum disease before they become serious.
Importance of Dental Visits:
- Professional cleaning: Dentists and hygienists can remove plaque and tartar that home care may miss.
- Monitor progress: Regular checkups allow your dentist to track the progress of your braces treatment.
- Early detection of problems: Your dentist can identify any oral health issues early and address them before they worsen.
Additional Tips for Maintaining Oral Hygiene with Braces
1. Keep Your Braces Clean Between Appointments
You can use orthodontic wax to cover any sharp parts of your braces that may cause irritation or discomfort. Keeping your braces free of debris is crucial for your comfort and hygiene.
2. Use a Timer When Brushing
Brushing for two minutes is essential, especially when you have braces. A timer or a two-minute song can help ensure that you’re brushing long enough to clean all surfaces of your teeth and braces.
3. Drink Water Frequently
Drinking water throughout the day helps wash away food particles and bacteria from your mouth, especially after eating. This can help reduce the amount of plaque that forms on your teeth and around your braces.
Conclusion
Maintaining oral hygiene with braces requires a little extra effort, but it is vital for the success of your treatment and the long-term health of your teeth and gums.
By brushing, flossing, using mouthwash, and visiting your dentist regularly, you can keep your mouth clean and healthy throughout your orthodontic journey.
If you need additional guidance, the professionals at Elwood Dental Group can help you create a personalised oral care routine that fits your needs while wearing braces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use mouthwash instead of brushing with braces?
Mouthwash is a helpful supplement to brushing, but it should not replace brushing. You should brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush at least twice a day, even when wearing braces.
How often should I visit the dentist with braces?
It’s generally recommended to visit the dentist every six months for a routine check-up and cleaning. However, if you have any concerns, such as pain, discomfort, or issues with your braces, it’s best to visit your dentist sooner.
How can I make flossing with braces easier?
Using a floss threader or orthodontic floss can make the process easier. Alternatively, a water flosser is a great way to clean between your teeth and around your braces.