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Braces are still one of the most well-known types of orthodontics available. However, they do have the potential to build up twice as much plaque unless you step up your oral hygiene routine and brushing techniques. In this post, our orthodontist at Village Orthodontics - Yorkville will explain how.
Adhere to the 45-Degree Rule
When brushing your braces, remember to follow the 45-degree rule. Brush the bottom teeth slightly upwards to get under the groove of the bracket, and the top teeth slightly downwards to go under the groove of the bracket as well. Food will become caught on the sides of your braces and in between your cheek and teeth the majority of the time. Develop the practice of cleaning your teeth after meals with a toothpick or floss. This should make brushing less difficult.
Treat the Brackets Like Part of the Tooth
Do not let plaque accumulate in the areas next to the brackets, as this may result in discolouration of the tooth or cavities in the spaces between teeth.
Your brackets and cables will create additional crevices for bacteria to settle in and proliferate in as a result of your installation. Prevent this by including a daily brushing practice after each meal in your eating schedule.
When wearing braces, flossing is still possible. To reach under the wire, however, you must use dental floss with firm points or flossing lassos. To avoid the bristles becoming trapped in or damaged by your brackets, you may need a toothbrush with stiffer bristles.
Make Healthy Choices
Making better food choices to avoid plaque buildup in the mouth is the first step. When you wear braces, you don't have to change your diet drastically, but we recommend avoiding foods that make it difficult to keep your teeth clean. Corn kernels, licorice, gummy candy, jerky, and taffy, to name a few, will become more easily trapped in your braces than other foods.
When you stay away from this small list of sticky and difficult-to-eat foodstuffs, your regular brushing routine will simply be easier. To find out which meals you should avoid, talk to your orthodontist about what you should and shouldn't eat.
Don't Rush It
Every day, it is usually recommended that you thoroughly clean your teeth for at least two minutes. If you're having trouble reaching all of the surfaces of your teeth due to wires and braces in your mouth, you can try using a proxabrush. It can be used to clean under and around braces and other orthodontic appliances due to its small size and flexibility.
Start by Rinsing Your Mouth
To begin, take any elastics, bands, or removable orthodontic parts out of your mouth and place them in a safe place away from your mouth. Then, take a cup and fill it halfway with water before rinsing your mouth with it. Swishing a small amount of water around the inside of your mouth can help to remove food particles and other debris.