How To Maintain Oral Hygiene with Braces

Wanting to achieve the perfect smile is often at the forefront of patient's minds when they visit the dentist. For this reason, orthodontic treatment also known as straightening teeth, has become one of the most popular treatments we perform. But something many of our patients neglect is the importance of maintaining great oral hygiene during the orthodontic process. This blog aims to educate our patients as to exactly how you can keep a healthy mouth when having your teeth straightened.

Why Oral Hygiene Is Important with Braces

For many years, braces were the gold standard when it came to straightening teeth. Braces involves temporarily attaching metal brackets onto the front of teeth to aid in the movement of teeth into the perfect position.

Although these metal brackets are great when it comes to moving teeth, they do have a few drawbacks.

1. Aesthetics - They negatively impact the appearance of the individual wearing braces. This is because the metal brackets are placed on the front of the teeth and can be seen when smiling.
2. Due to the intricate nature and specific design of the brackets, it is very easy for food and bacteria to get stuck and accumulate in and around the braces. For this reason, oral hygiene is of utmost importance.

Below are 5 ways that you can keep your mouth healthy during braces.

1) Brushing two times every day

1. Frequent brushing becomes even more important when you have braces because it helps to remove the bacteria that can easily get stuck within the metal brackets and around the braces.

2) Floss Daily to Remove Hidden Debris

1. When you have braces, it is easy for bacteria to also accumulate under your gums and in-between your teeth. This makes flossing an integral part of your oral hygiene routine.
2. Due to wires and brackets, it may be difficult to clean in between your teeth with regular floss, instead, interdental brushes or a water flosser can be used.

3) Rinse with Mouthwash to Kill Bacteria

1. In cases where brushing or flossing cannot remove all the bacteria from your mouth, using a mouthwash daily can help to flush out any excess bacteria and keep the mouth smelling fresh.

4) Visit Your Dentist Regularly for Cleanings and Checkups

1. No matter how well you clean your teeth at home, certain areas are impossible to reach without the specialized tools used by your dental professional.
2. Your dentist can also check the health of the teeth and gums to ensure your mouth is healthy through the entire orthodontic process and that your teeth are moving in the correct way.

Make sure to schedule regular checkups with our dental team in Tarneit for thorough cleanings.

Following the above steps will help you maintain amazing oral hygiene if you have braces.

Contact Us for More Information

If you need any help with braces in Tarneit or aligners in Tarneit or any information on how to straighten your teeth or cheap braces in Tarneit or Cheap aligners in Tarneit, please contact our friendly team at Dazzling Smiles Dental Tarneit on (03) 8087 8455.