Dental Hygiene With Braces

Braces are an excellent solution for correcting misaligned teeth, improving your bite, and enhancing your smile. However, maintaining proper oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment can be challenging because the wires, brackets, and bands create additional places for food particles to get trapped and plaque to build up. If you're undergoing treatment for braces, keeping your teeth and gums clean is critical for avoiding complications such as cavities, gum disease, and extended treatment times. 

This article will cover essential tips and strategies for maintaining optimal dental hygiene with braces. With the support of a qualified dentist in Fall River, MA, you can ensure your smile stays healthy throughout your orthodontic journey.

Why Dental Hygiene Is Crucial With Braces

Braces create numerous nooks and crannies where food particles can get stuck, leading to plaque buildup. If plaque isn't adequately removed, it can result in tooth decay, gum disease, and even permanent marks on your teeth after your braces are removed. Poor dental hygiene may also extend your treatment time, as healthy teeth move more efficiently than teeth with cavities or inflammation. Contact us to learn more about maintaining dental hygiene while having braces.

Following the guidelines below and visiting a dentist in Fall River, MA, for regular checkups and cleanings, you can maintain excellent oral health while straightening your teeth.

Brushing and Flossing With Braces

One of the main challenges with braces is maintaining a thorough brushing and flossing routine. Standard brushing techniques often don't clean between brackets and wires properly, so a specialized approach is necessary.

How to Brush With Braces

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush: Soft bristles are gentler on your braces and gums, reducing the risk of damage or irritation.
• Angle your brush: Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to clean around the brackets. Brush along each bracket's top, bottom, and sides to remove any trapped food particles.
• Brush for two minutes: Take your time and ensure you brush all areas of your teeth and braces. Spend about 30 seconds on each quadrant of your mouth.
• Use fluoride toothpaste: Fluoride toothpaste helps strengthen enamel and protect against cavities, which is especially important when wearing braces.
• Consider an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes provide more consistent motion and pressure, making cleaning around brackets and wires easier.

Flossing With Braces

Flossing is crucial when you have braces, but standard flossing techniques may be difficult. Here's how you can make it easier:

• Use a floss threader: A floss threader allows you to guide the floss under the wire of your braces. Once the floss is in place, gently move it up and down between your teeth and along the gumline.
• Consider orthodontic floss: Specially designed floss, like Superfloss, has a stiffened end that can easily be threaded under the braces' wire without needing a separate threader.
• Use an oral irrigator: Water flossers (oral irrigators) can be an excellent alternative or supplement to traditional flossing. They use a water jet to remove food particles and plaque between teeth and braces.

Oral Hygiene Aids for Braces

In addition to proper brushing and flossing techniques, several tools and aids can make it easier to maintain dental hygiene with braces in Fall River, MA: 

• Interdental brushes: These small, pointed brushes are designed to clean between teeth and around brackets. They can reach areas your toothbrush might miss.
• Orthodontic wax: Braces can sometimes irritate the inside of your lips and cheeks. Orthodontic wax can be applied to brackets and wires to reduce discomfort.
• Mouthwash: An antimicrobial or fluoride mouthwash can help keep your teeth and gums healthy by reaching areas your toothbrush or floss may not. It also strengthens your teeth and helps prevent cavities.
• Dental picks: Soft dental picks can be useful for cleaning between teeth when you're on the go and don't have access to floss.

Your dentist in Fall River, MA, can recommend specific products that may be helpful based on your orthodontic needs.

Dietary Tips to Support Oral Hygiene

What you eat while wearing braces is crucial in keeping your teeth healthy. Certain foods can damage your braces or promote plaque buildup, while others can help protect your enamel and gums.

Foods to Avoid

To protect your braces and maintain good oral health, it's essential to avoid certain foods that can damage brackets and wires or promote decay:

• Hard foods: Nuts, hard candy, and ice can damage brackets and wires.
• Sticky foods: Gum, caramels, and chewy candies can get stuck in your braces and are difficult to clean.
• Sugary foods and drinks: Sweets, sodas, and juices can increase the risk of cavities by promoting plaque buildup.

Foods to Eat

A balanced diet that includes the following can help support your overall oral health:

• Dairy products: Cheese, yogurt, and milk are rich in calcium and help strengthen teeth.
• Fruits and vegetables: Fresh produce contains vitamins and minerals essential for gum health. Opt for softer options that won't get stuck in your braces.
• Lean proteins: Foods like chicken, turkey, and eggs promote healthy tissue repair and strengthen teeth.

The Importance of Regular Dental Checkups

In addition to daily care, it is crucial to visit your dentist in Fall River, MA, regularly for professional cleanings and checkups. Your dentist can ensure that your braces are in good condition, monitor your oral health, and provide treatment if any issues, such as cavities or gum disease, arise.

During your dental visits, the dentist will remove any plaque or tartar buildup that may have accumulated around your brackets and wires. These professional cleanings are essential for optimal oral health during orthodontic treatment.

Conclusion

Maintaining excellent dental hygiene with braces in Fall River, MA, is essential to ensuring a healthy, beautiful smile once your orthodontic treatment is complete. Brushing, flossing, and using the right hygiene aids, along with regular visits to your dentist in Fall River, MA will help keep your teeth and gums in top condition throughout the process. By following these guidelines and taking care of your braces, you can look forward to a lifetime of healthy, straight teeth.

So schedule an appointment with us at Dentistry With A Smile, LLC, 920 Plymouth Avenue, Fall River, MA 02721. For bookings and consultations, call (508) 672-6471. Please visit our official website to learn more about our various services.