There are four essential steps for proper oral care: brushing, flossing, rinsing, and visiting the dentist. By following these steps, you can maintain healthy teeth and gums and prevent dental problems from developing.
How To Care For Your Braces
Oral Hygiene
Once you begin wearing braces, you must maintain excellent oral hygiene throughout your treatment. Your appliances can cause food particles to become lodged. When you receive braces from our office, it can be more challenging to brush or floss. Gentle brushing and flossing, ideally after eating and snacking, is the most effective method to inhibit plaque buildup, tooth decay, and periodontal disease.
Flossing with Braces
If you’re interested in receiving braces, keep in mind flossing will require additional time and patience. It is vital to floss every day, preferably at night. Maintaining oral hygiene means using the right tools and techniques, such as a floss threader, which you will slide under your archwire and wiggle up and down very gently to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Rinsing with Antibacterial Mouthwash
Our orthodontist suggests using an antiseptic mouthwash to reduce gum inflammation. This particular mouthwash will also prevent infection, decrease irritation, and address other minor issues caused by braces such as canker sores and cheek bites. As part of maintaining oral hygiene, we recommend that you follow the instructions of the mouthwash that you are using.
Use an Interdental Toothbrush
We recommend using an interdental toothbrush to thoroughly clean between, around, and beneath your teeth, archwires, and braces.
Topical Fluoride
Our orthodontist in Orlando recommends using a sodium fluoride gel to prevent tooth decay during your orthodontic treatment. The fluoride replaces the minerals in the tooth enamel that are removed by damaging acids and eliminates bacteria. It is important to note the gel does not replace daily flossing and brushing. Apply the gel strip onto your toothbrush and brush for a minute before rinsing and spitting it out. Please wait thirty minutes before eating or drinking after using the gel.
How to Clean Removable Appliances & Retainers
We recommend brushing and soaking your removable appliance in a denture-cleaning solution to prevent plaque and food particles from building up on your device.
Brushing with Braces
To prevent food particles from accumulating in both your teeth and braces, our orthodontist recommends you should brush your teeth four times daily. This includes:
- Once after breakfast
- Once after lunch
- Once after dinner
- Once before bed
Frequently Asked Questions About Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping your mouth clean and free of disease. This includes brushing your teeth, flossing, and visiting an orthodontist near you regularly.
When choosing a toothbrush and toothpaste, it is important to consider the type of toothbrush, which have soft bristles, proper size and shape. There are many different types of toothpaste available in the market among which fluoride toothpaste is the most recommended toothpaste by the orthodontist near you.
If oral hygiene is not done properly, it can lead to a number of problems. These include gum disease, tooth decay, and bad breath. In extreme cases, it can even lead to oral cancer.
Our Orthodontic Clinic in Orlando, FL
All About Smiles Orthodontics Orlando
1650 Sand Lake Rd #116,
Orlando, FL 32809