Getting yourself or your child braces is the first step to ensuring that they have a better smile throughout their lifetime. Nevertheless, to ensure that the goal is met, you need to educate yourself on taking care of these braces.
Below, you’ll get to explore the best tips for taking care of all types of braces, including clear braces.
Brush Frequently
Brushing with braces is quite different from brushing your teeth without them. There’s a recommended two-by-two rule for those with braces which says that you should brush twice a day for two minutes each time.
You can make your choice of fluoride toothpaste and toothbrush. Begin with circular motions on the top area of your upper teeth where the braces divide. When you’re done, repeat the process with the bottom teeth.
Floss and Use Mouthwash
Toothbrushes aren’t great at getting to all the areas of your mouth. That’s why you need to floss at least once daily. You can get a threader or some other flossing material to get rid of food remnants.
Flossing also ensures that you don’t experience tooth decay since sugary food residue mixes with saliva to form bacteria that create cavities.
Once you’re done with flossing, you can then use mouthwash to get to the areas untouched by the floss threader.
Purchase a Waterpik
Using oral irrigators like the WaterPik can help with maintaining oral hygiene. Although using the WaterPik requires a bit of learning, patients who get used to it find it fantastic. Oral irrigators like the Water Pik are perfect for getting rid of food debris that floss can’t get rid of.
Look in the Mirror
Once you’ve brushed your teeth and used mouthwash, you need to use a mirror to check if there are remaining food particles stuck in your teeth.
Also, while checking the mirror, you need to check for areas where the wires have shifted. This tip is particularly helpful since you get to pinpoint issues before they escalate into something bigger.
Ask For Hygiene Tips from Your Orthodontist
The first job of an orthodontist is to place the braces in your mouth and perform regular checks on them. Their second job is to advise you on how to take good care of your braces.
From the moment you get your braces, the orthodontist will walk you through how you can go about brushing and flossing. They also inform you about what to do if you start feeling pain once the braces are on.
You can ask for tips from your orthodontist about the foods you need to avoid. This way, your dental journey becomes much faster.
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