Getting braces to correct your teeth can be bad enough for some people, but failing to keep them clean can be a lot worse.
The lips, tongue and cheeks will naturally wash the teeth with saliva, helping to keep them clean. However, when you have braces on, this prevents that from happening. Plaque brings with it tons of germs that cause tooth decay and gum disease. It is common for orthodontists to refer patients to general dentists before and after orthodontic treatment to get their teeth cleaned and get all the decayed teeth filled. Braces, wires, springs, rubber bands make it difficult even for patients with good habits to maintain satisfactory oral hygiene.
Some amount of inflammation of the gums can be expected with braces. It is important for your Plano, TX dentist to recognize the problem before it progresses to become periodontitis (periodontal inflammation). Periodontal inflammation can delay healing and can cause pain and mobility of teeth during orthodontic treatment.
Steps to take to keep you braces and teeth clean:
- Make sure you brush after every meal. Cleaning away food particles is the number one way to help keep teeth and gums healthy, especially when you are wearing braces.
- Specialized orthodontic brushes (where the bristles in the middle are lower than the bristles on the edges), and interdental brushes are available for more effective cleaning. Electric toothbrushes are a good alternative for people who hate brushing. Rubber tip stimulators help dislodge stubborn debris from between teeth.
- Floss your teeth daily, preferably at night. You don’t need special dental floss for regular flossing. Normal nylon dental floss with a floss-threader will help. Pass the dental floss beneath the orthodontic wire for brushing. It takes more time initially, but with constant practice you can reduce the time and effort needed to floss daily.
- Use oral irrigation devices like WaterPik, QuickBreeze or ShowerPik, which use a jet of water to dislodge debris from the tooth surface.
- Rinsing with an over the counter mouthwash is the last thing you need to do to ensure that your teeth and gums are fully protected from the germs and plaque that are daily trying to take over your teeth. Getting in touch with a good dentist who focuses on Fort Worth, Texas orthodontics will make the cycle complete, and you can rest assured that your teeth and gums are in good hands.