Wearing braces may be difficult, especially when it comes to keeping your teeth clean and healthy. It is essential to ensure that you are brushing and flossing your teeth and braces regularly to avoid cavities and tooth decay. Below are some pointers on how to keep your teeth and braces clean.
Brush After Meals
In reality, hardly one goes through the trouble of cleaning their teeth after every meal daily. Although it is not something orthodontists expect, you should still take action after you eat. Brushing and flossing after each meal is recommended for people with braces. This will assist in reducing the quantity of food and germs that may become lodged and prevent deterioration.
Gargle some water around your mouth to help remove any food trapped in your braces, whether you just completed a fresh salad or your favorite pizza. You can even get travel-sized mouthwashes to use when traveling. This is a simple method for keeping braces clean.
Brush For An Extra Minute
After you’ve gone to the trouble of selecting the finest braces, make an extra effort to maintain them. Brushing for an additional minute can make a big difference.
Brushing for 2 minutes is recommended, but don’t be scared to brush for 3 minutes. You might want to sweep away any food or muck that you missed in the first several minutes. It will also ensure that no substantial stains or white markings remain when the braces are removed.
Avoid Certain Foods
Sugary and acidic meals can cause tooth decay. Acidic foods, such as vinegar and citrus fruits, can wear away at your teeth’ enamel. Cavities can be exacerbated by candy and potato chips. It would also be helpful if you avoided hard foods as they can damage your braces. When you have cavities, you may experience discomfort and sensitivity when eating specific foods.
Attend All Scheduled Appointments
It might be hard to learn how to keep braces clean, but your dentist and orthodontist can assist you. Ensure you go for your booked appointments and schedule them regularly.
You will get the chance to ask any questions you have and the orthodontist will also be able to look inside your mouth and tell you if anything needs to be changed. Make sure you honestly answer all of their questions so you can get the support you need.
Use A Mouthwash
It’s worth it to invest in fluoride-containing mouthwash. It will assist in keeping your braces clean, therefore protecting your mouth and teeth. However, it’s important to remember that mouthwash should be used at least 30 minutes after cleaning your teeth. You risk washing away the fluoride from the toothpaste if you use it earlier.
Have A Mobile Cleaning Kit
You should keep a mobile cleaning kit with you, in addition to brushing your teeth twice a day. If you’re out for a meal or working long hours and need to clean your teeth and braces quickly, this will come in useful.
Beauty Smile Orthodontics specializes in braces for adults and children, alike. If you are interested in seeing how we can help you to achieve a happy and healthy smile, contact us today.