Having braces is a great accomplishment in your path to a gorgeous smile, but it also means that you will have to start a new routine when it comes to taking care of your teeth. We understand at our dental office in Oklahoma City that you may feel a bit frustrated because of all of the extra work involved in having braces. Whether it’s braces, clear aligners, or affordable dentures in Oklahoma City, care comes first.
Brushing teeth with braces means more than ensuring that your teeth are clean. It is important that you take care of your braces so that you have a healthy and beautiful smile. With this in mind, our team at Reflections Dental Care will take a closer look at just how often should you brush your teeth with braces and other tips!
Factors Making Braces Require Extra Dental Care
Braces frequently result in several tiny areas that trap bits of food and debris. Braces and wires, as well as metal rings, act as microscopic food catchers in an individual’s mouth that trap everything ranging from breakfast debris to dinner bits. This debris will eventually offer a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria.
We have often seen a situation where a patient is brought to our office because of a formation of white spots, cavities, or gum issues that are easily preventable because of poor oral hygiene. This is not a result of braces but a formation of dental plaque.
Brushing techniques that you could previously do ahead of acquiring braces may perhaps not be enough at this stage. This is because your braces call for such a level of care in terms of brushing that incorporates more of your time and expertise.
Recommended Brushing Frequency
We recommend that you brush your teeth three times a day when you have braces. This is in the morning, after lunch, and before you go to bed. Brushing after meals or eating any snack is always recommended. How do I brush my teeth with braces, you may ask? Consistency and gentle technique are essential.
This is a factor that is of great significance in relation to your braces. Prior to your braces, it was easy to remove food particles through either saliva or a quick wash. Now, it is possible that food particles get caught in your braces and wires for several hours. This will give bacteria a chance to act and work at weakening your teeth’ enamel.
In situations where it is not possible to brush after meals, we suggest that you take a travel brush with you, alongside a small tube of toothpaste. This will not only prove to be convenient for you, but brushing for even 60 seconds will also have a lot of bearing when it comes to preventing the accumulation of plaques in your mouth. In situations where brushing is not possible, a good wash with water will do you no harm either.
Simple Brushing Technique for Braces
Brushing while wearing braces needs to be done in a proper manner. We advise brushing your teeth with braces using a brush with soft bristles and fluoride paste for a period of at least two minutes.
First, swish a mouthful of water around your mouth to loosen up food debris that is obviously present. You should place your brush at a 45-degree angle against your gums when brushing. You will be brushing above, at, and below your braces as if you’re brushing three separate areas.
Be sure to pay extra attention around where your gums meet your teeth. You need to clean areas at the top and in your teeth that often get overlooked when brushing your teeth in a hurry.
You may also choose to purchase an interdental brush or a water flosser that will make it possible for you to clean between your brackets and wires more effectively.
Protecting Your Smile Investment
To maintain clean teeth while wearing braces will take extra work, but your extra efforts in brushing will all be worth it. Brushing your teeth three times a day will ensure that your braces will showcase healthy teeth, not deteriorated ones.
Just remember that we’re all in this with you when it comes to your orthodontic treatment. Do you have a question about your oral hygiene routine or a concern in your mouth that just doesn’t feel right? Get in contact with Reflections Dental Care!