How to Keep Your Teeth Clean With Braces

Dental braces are devices that are used for fixing dental imperfections. Therefore, we must learn how to take care of braces with that in mind. In most cases, your dentist will give you all the necessary instructions on how to do this after fitting you with braces. But in case you are looking for more tips on how to do that, this article is here to assist.

How to Clean Your Teeth With Braces

• Brush Your Teeth Regularly

Brushing is the most basic thing to do if you practice good oral hygiene. You will be expected to clean your teeth at least twice a day with or without braces. However, with braces, you will have to be more thorough and take extra steps to ensure no food particles are hiding between your braces. With the help of a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, start with brushing your teeth in a circular motion. Do this slowly to get off as many food particles as possible that might be lodged on your tooth gaps. When you are done, proceed to brush the part of your gum that falls directly above or below your teeth. You will have to brush more frequently now that it is easier for food particles to get lodged inside your braces.

• Avoid Sugary Food

If you have braces installed, you should stay away from sugary food. We advise that because particles from sugary food can easily stick on the surface of your teeth and require more effort to be removed. In addition, when left for a long period, these food particles can increase your chances of getting a tooth cavity.

• Floss Between Your Teeth

Even when you brush regularly, you can still find some food particles stuck between your teeth. If these food particles are not cleaned, they can manifest to bacteria and result in a tooth cavity. Therefore, we recommend you floss your teeth as regularly as possible, especially if you have braces that could provide additional room for food particles to get lodged. To have an easier time flossing with braces on, we recommend purchasing a floss threader. If you have never heard of them, our dentist in Torbay will provide you with more information below.

What Are Floss Threaders

Floss threaders are thin, flexible pieces of disposable loops made from a plastic material. They resemble large needles and make flossing easier by cleaning areas that are difficult to reach.

How to Use Dental Floss Threaders With Braces

• Cut off 12 to 18 inches from a dental floss of your preference.
• On one end of your floss, measure 4 to 5 inches and insert it through the loop in the threader.
• Move the floss threader through your braces and in between your tooth gaps.
• Take off the threader loop and floss normally.
• If you want to floss between tight spaces, form a C shape with the floss.
• Keep repeating the same process on all your teeth.
• When you are done with flossing, get rid of the threader.

Why Flossing Is Important With Braces

To Avoid Damaging Your Braces

Even though braces have become affordable over the years, it is still important that you take good care of them. Food particles can build up between tooth gaps and manifest to bacteria when you don’t floss regularly. The bacteria could damage your braces by causing the adhesive that bonds the braces to degrade.

Protects Your Teeth From Decay

Although braces have a lot of benefits to oral health, it also has a few downsides. Without braces, brushing is usually enough to remove most of the food debris that gets lodged between your teeth after a meal. However, with braces, this debris can be difficult to brush off. To reduce the chances of getting a tooth cavity, we recommend regular floss.

Prevents Gum Related Diseases

If you have braces, you’ll need to take more action so that you can keep your teeth clean. Thorough brushing and flossing are necessary to be protected from getting gum disease. Gum disease causes pain and bleeding and could lead to loss of teeth if not treated immediately. If you feel like you might be suffering from gum disease, visit our cosmetic dentistry in St John’s for a check-up.

Conclusion

Despite the few setbacks that come with having braces, it is still important we learn to take good care of our teeth. We have provided you with information to make it easier for you to clean your teeth while still undergoing treatment. For the best dental braces treatment in Torbay, visit Smiles of Canada- Torbay.