Braces and Dental Hygiene
Wilsonville, OR
 When you look in the mirror, do you see metal and ceramic? You are most likely one of those four million people in the US whose dental problems are being treated through braces. If you are, you need to make sure that your braces are as clean as you can make them. We know you want your teeth to look beautiful when the braces come off, but you also need to keep your teeth clean for good oral health.
If you don’t take care of those teeth, you may need to have your teeth whitened after you get your braces off. You could develop cavities underneath your braces, which could lead to serious trouble later on. We understand that taking care of your teeth when you are wearing braces is challenging because you have to clean with brackets and wires in the way. How can you practice good oral hygiene? Senestraro Family Orthodontics has some answers for you.
What Tools Do You Need to Clean Teeth Effectively?
First, when you are trying to get your braces fully clean, you will need a small toothbrush. You need that small toothbrush to effectively clean the brackets. You will want to buy a toothbrush with flat bristles, rather than angled. The toothbrush should also be soft, so it doesn’t damage your braces, teeth or gums. We have special toothbrushes that are made just for this, so be sure and ask us if we have one.
Also, be sure that your toothpaste has fluoride. Fluoride helps to prevent cavities in your teeth. You also need to have dental floss. Dental floss is one of the most important tools you should have in your arsenal. When you use dental floss and a floss threader, you can floss your teeth between the brackets and wires, which is really important. Although it sounds like an absolute pain now, it gets easier the more often you do it. Your teeth will thank you for it.
How Do I Brush and Floss?
One way to keep your teeth and gums healthy is to brush your teeth more often when you are wearing braces. Be sure that you brush after each meal, and right before you go to sleep. It is easier for food particles to become trapped around your teeth while you are wearing braces. Be sure that you are brushing under the metal wires or bands. You also need to brush on and around the brackets.
Flossing with braces is difficult because of all of the metal or ceramic in your mouth. You need to continue to floss in between your teeth. You also need a floss threader, which looks like a needle. Floss threaders help you make sure you can get the floss under the wires so that each tooth gets flossed effectively.
Did you recently get braces? Are you worried about your oral hygiene? We can help! Give Senestraro Family Orthodontics a call at (503) 582-8212. We can help you find the right way to keep your teeth sparkling for when those braces come off!
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