One of the biggest challenges you’ll face when you first get braces is trying to keep your teeth clean. Brushing and flossing is definitely much more difficult when you have brackets and wires in your mouth – which is why many people struggle with it.
Despite how difficult it may be, you don’t want to slack off when it comes to keeping your teeth clean. If you do and you could end up with worse issues such as tooth decay or gum disease – both of which may even affect the effectiveness of your braces and cause delays.
To avoid all that and keep your teeth clean, here’s a few things you need to know:
- Clean after every meal
If you can brush and floss after every meal that would be great – but that may not be realistic. However you should at least clean your mouth a little bit by sloshing around some water after meals, and maybe even using mouthwash.
- Brush thoroughly with the right technique
To brush your teeth thoroughly when wearing braces you should start by positioning your brush at a 45-degree angle and brushing near the gum line. After that angle it a little to brush the top of your brackets, before repositioning it again to get the right angle to brush under the brackets and wire. Once all that is done, you can brush the chewing and inner surfaces of your teeth.
- Try interdental toothbrushes
If you have difficulty brushing, you could try using interdental toothbrushes that have smaller heads and may make it easier for you to find the right angle.
- Floss regularly using a floss threader
Flossing with braces can be tough, but if you use a floss threader you’ll find it easier to maneuver the floss around your braces. Be sure to be gentle so you don’t damage the wires and brackets, and if you still find it hard you may want to invest in a water flosser.
- Don’t forget your tongue
When wearing braces it is important that you get rid of as much bacteria as possible from your mouth – so don’t forget your tongue. All you need to do is brush your tongue gently a couple of times to remove most of the bacteria from its surface.
In addition to these steps, you should be sure to stick to your regular dental appointments as well as appointments with the orthodontist who installed your braces Cardiff or elsewhere. Not only are these appointments essential to check on the status of your braces and make adjustments, but they’ll also allow your dentist to spot early warning signs of tooth decay, gum disease or other issues.
When you do visit your dentist or orthodontist, you can ask them if you have any issues brushing and flossing. It doesn’t matter if whether or not it is a simple question or not – as far as your oral hygiene is concerned it is always better to stick to the safe side and ask when you have any doubts.
