5 Tips for Oral Hygiene During Your Orthodontic Treatment

Good oral hygiene is always important even when you are not going through orthodontic treatment — but it becomes even more crucial when you are wearing an orthodontic device.

You are probably excited about getting your teeth straightened, but if you do not make oral hygiene a priority during your orthodontic treatment, you might end up with some tooth decay and unsightly stains afterward.

Here are some tips on how to keep teeth healthy while straightening teeth:

5 Tips for keeping your teeth healthy during orthodontic treatment

1. Brush often

Brushing helps to keep teeth healthy by removing food particles, acids and bacteria from tooth surfaces. When teeth are not properly brushed, they can be vulnerable to gum disease, tooth decay and white spots. These are the same things most patients do not want to have to deal with after getting their teeth straightened.

When wearing an orthodontic device, teeth should be cleaned at least three times a day, preferably after every meal. Toothbrushes should be replaced more often when wearing orthodontic devices since the bristles are worn out faster.

2. Get an interdental brush

An interdental brush makes it easier to clean the spaces between teeth when they are obstructed by a device like braces. These types of brushes are also good for cleaning the brackets and metal wires that come with traditional braces.

An interdental brush can be used to loosen and remove debris from teeth surfaces before brushing. The smaller bristles make it an excellent choice for cleaning teeth that are obstructed by an orthodontic device.

3. Floss each day

Orthodontic devices make it a lot harder to floss, but flossing remains important during treatment since it removes plaque buildup from hard-to-reach places. An easy way to go about doing this is by getting a floss threader. These can be purchased at most grocery stores and pharmacies.

Wax floss is often recommended by dentists as it slides easier between teeth, reducing the odds of it breaking while cleaning teeth. People who wear devices like braces still need to floss at least once each day.

4. Use a mouthwash

A mouthwash provides an extra layer of protection. It cleans places that floss cannot reach, it kills bacteria and it helps to re-mineralize teeth. People who wear orthodontic devices should rinse their mouth before brushing, then close out the oral hygiene session by using a quality mouthwash. It will help to protect them against gum disease and tooth decay during the course of their treatment.

5. Do not miss dental appointments

Orthodontic treatments need to be monitored by a dentist, so it is never a good idea to habitually miss checkups when straightening teeth.

Need orthodontic treatment?

The faster you deal with your teeth alignment issues, the quicker you end up with a smile you can be proud of. There are many ways to go about straightening teeth nowadays. Visit our Fort Lauderdale clinic and explore your orthodontic treatment options today.

Request an appointment here: https://www.smilesbyjulia.com or call Smiles By Julia at (954) 271-8034 for an appointment in our Fort Lauderdale office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Orthodontics in Fort Lauderdale, FL.