Braces are one of the best tools for efficiently shifting misaligned teeth and improving oral health, but they come with a little extra maintenance required. Brushing and flossing your teeth with braces requires some know-how and practice, but once you get the hang of it, it’ll be second nature.
To get started on your braces journey, you need the right support. The doctors at Dietrich & Kelso Orthodontics are experts at helping children, teens, and adults get on track to a straight and brilliant smile. Their team won’t leave you hanging in the hygiene area either! You can expect a ton of support and supplies to help keep your mouth healthy throughout your orthodontic experience.Â
Relearning How to Brush
First things first, you’ll need to learn how to brush your teeth–again! With or without braces, your orthodontist will recommend brushing at least twice every day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, after waking up, and before bed. It might be a good idea to add in more brushes after meals when you can, to help prevent food particles from getting stuck and causing problems with your brackets.
With your braces on, it’s important to brush above and below the brackets, working to get all the nooks and crannies in between. Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle to optimally scrub the tops and bottom of the bracket. And don’t forget to scrub your tongue! When you have braces it’s even more important to rid your mouth of all the bacteria and germs that can cause cavities or tooth decay.
Flossing
Using your new tools from Dietrich & Kelso Orthodontics will be essential for your success when flossing with braces. And though it can be tedious, it’s more important than ever to keep your mouth clean and bacteria-free.
Grab the floss threader that you’ll receive in your braces kit. Thread the dental floss through the eye of the floss threader. Then slide the threader under the wire where you are aiming to floss. Remove the threader and set it aside while you floss that tooth, being extra thorough to floss each side of your tooth like you normally would. Then grab the floss threader and repeat on all your teeth!
Despite the extra steps, maintaining flossing will be well worth it when you glimpse your glowing smile at the end of treatment, and long after.
A tip–if gripping slippery floss isn’t for you, then a Waterpik might be a great option! This hand-held machine shoots a fine stream of pressurized water between your teeth to push food particles out of hard-to-reach places, similar to floss, and without the extra effort. Though you will have to pay for it, it’s a worthy investment that you can continue to use after your braces are removed!
Now that you’re prepared for the efforts of oral hygiene with braces, you’ll also be able to reap the rewards of a beautiful and healthy smile! The team at Dietrich and Kelso Orthodontics is ready to support you on your journey. Set up a free consultation to find your next steps for a smile you will love.