How Should You Practice Oral Hygiene When Wearing Braces?

Having braces might not qualify as the best experience you’ve ever had. However, braces can be quite helpful in fixing teeth that is crooked and achieve a beautiful smile. During the time when you have to wear the braces, you might have to avoid certain food items, go through some discomfort as well as feel embarrassed with the braces on. But these are only inconveniences that are temporary and the ultimate result from wearing the braces can be very beautiful. All of the problems you go through will be worth the straighter and more beautiful teeth afterwards. 

Many people who have undertaken cosmetic dentistry treatment with the help of dental braces in Scarborough, complain of one problem- difficulty in maintaining one’s oral hygiene. It can be quite difficult to brush or floss one’s teeth with the braces on. This is because of the way the braces are wired. Difficulty in properly removing the germs from the teeth can lead to increased risk of dental disease in patients. Proper oral hygiene involves removal of the dental plaque, which is a thin film of the bacteria and food particles that collect inside the mouth. 

General Oral Care For Brace Wearers

Dental plaque is often the reason for tooth decay and periodontal diseases in dental patients. In order to avoid the build-up of plaque, one needs to brush and floss on a daily basis, the absence of which makes the onset of dental diseases unavoidable. While it is easier for people to brush and floss their teeth every day, people with braces have a certain portion of their teeth covered by the braces hardware. This makes it impossible for them to brush or floss their teeth properly. 

Apart from this, the hardware for braces also leads to the creation of small hiding places for the build-up of plaque in our oral cavity. There are several studies which have pointed out that plaque build-up in brace wearers is 2-3 times more than the plaque build-up in non brace-wearers. However, there ways in which dental hygiene can be made easier for people with braces. While the brush surface might be too big to appropriately allow for the brushing to take place, flossing can be done to help remove the plaque. 

Threaders for flossing or the interproximal brushes can be used to access in between two teeth while wearing the braces. This process needs to be repeated for all the teeth and the dental plaque stuck in between two teeth can be removed. Another method that can be used involves the use of the water flosser or the irrigator. This involves spraying pressurized water in between the teeth to forcefully remove the dental plaque. The water is also sprayed in and around the braces so that any plaque build-up around the braces is also removed. 

Apart from flossing on a daily basis, dental brace wearers need to apply fluoride pastes and anti-bacterial mouth rinses 2-3 times in a day to reduce the amount of disease-causing bacteria in one’s teeth. Dental hygienists suggest that apart from taking care to remove dental plaque regularly, brace wearers should also undertake better food choices. One should lessen the consumption of sugar, make good nutrition choices and undergo dental visits from time to time. 

Care For Removable Braces

The oral care for such braces becomes extremely easy because they can be removed in order to clean your teeth. Dental care, in case of these braces involves removal of the braces and keeping them in a protective case. After this, one can floss and brush just as a non-brace wearer would do. However, it becomes important to also clean the braces separately to avoid plaque build-up on the braces. 

One should clean soak the braces in a cleaning solution once in every week. One could also clean the braces using a toothbrush and plain water. However, one should refrain from using toothpaste to clean the braces. There are many instances in which the braces loosen or become weak. In such cases, the best solution is to see a dental specialist who will help you out. 

Care For The Retainers

The best plan of action for the oral care for fixed retainers involves cleaning the teeth in and around the braces. Doctors recommend the use of an interdental brush or an orthodontic dental floss to in and around the retainer. It is also important for one to undertake weekly or monthly appointments from an hygienist to undergo professional cleaning of the teeth. 

When the retainers are not being worn, it is important to clean these for avoiding any plaque build-up in the teeth. The best way to care for these retainers is to soak them in a clean solution for some time. This will help to remove any bacteria from the retainers. After this, one needs to use a toothbrush and water to gently rub the surface and remove any persistent germs on the retainers. 

Also, given that you are at a higher risk of getting dental diseases such as tooth decay or gum diseases, it is always better to seek out the help of a specialized dentist if you notice any signs of the onset of the disease. The earlier you get it checked out, the easier will it be to undertake the right treatment and lessen the damage caused to your teeth. Any delay in getting the proper treatment could mean having to go through a lot of pain and discomfort in your teeth. 

While it might not be easy to take proper care of your teeth and gums while wearing braces, with a little extra care, your orthodontal treatment can be fruitful. During this time, it is necessary to follow the advice of your cosmetic dentist in Scarborough and take up the necessary actions for the right amount of dental care. From flossing regularly to rinsing your mouth with an anti-bacterial mouth rinse after every meal, these must be done religiously on a daily basis. And once the braces are removed finally and you have teeth that are healthy and a smile that is beautiful, you will be happy to have undertaken the various measures for proper oral care.