Brushing with braces can take some getting used to. When you get braces or Invisalign, proper oral health is crucial to keeping your teeth and gums healthy throughout treatment. Throughout the day, food and drink accumulate around your orthodontic appliances. Without a thorough cleaning, plaque can build up more easily than without braces and lead to stained teeth, bad breath, cavities, and gingivitis.
To keep your teeth and appliances in good shape, follow these cleaning tips.
Brush your teeth after meals and before bed.
Perhaps the biggest change in your teeth-cleaning habits will be how often you brush. While you’re in treatment, we recommend brushing after every meal. This will ensure that you’re scrubbing off any food particles that may be trapped in your appliances. After a few days, brushing immediately after eating will become a habit.
To make brushing on the go easy, you can carry a travel toothbrush and toothpaste with you. If brushing at work or school isn’t possible, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water to help wash away food particles. If you have Invisalign, we recommending at least rinsing your aligners out if you’re unable to brush before putting them back in after a meal. Be sure to give your teeth and orthodontic appliances a proper brushing at your next earliest convenience.
Get hard-to-reach spots with a proxy brush and super-flossers.
If you’re wearing brackets and wires, a proxy brush is a great tool for cleaning areas around your appliances. If you tend to have heavy plaque buildup, we also recommend trying an Airflosser or WaterPik.
Use a fluoride mouthwash.
Dr. Lauren may have prescribed a prescription fluoride toothpaste for you to use twice daily, or a fluoride rinse to use nightly for thirty seconds. Fluoride helps tooth enamel stay strong, and the act of rinsing helps to ensure any food and plaque you scrubbed while brushing and flossing rinses clean away.
Schedule regular dental checkups.
Regardless of your treatment type, continue to see your dentist every six months as you normally do. Contact your dentist about recommended teeth cleanings.
If you have any questions about brushing with braces, contact our office at any time!