By Toowong Orthodontics
HAPPY DENTAL HEALTH WEEK!
Dental Health Week is the perfect time to shine a light on keeping your smile clean and healthy whilst undergoing orthodontic treatment. Whether it is braces or aligners, good oral hygiene is essential in ensuring your teeth can move quickly and smoothly throughout treatment.
Why Braces Need Extra Care
Braces are great at straightening teeth, but they also create more places for food and plaque to hide and get stuck. Without proper cleaning, this can lead to:
- Tooth decay
- Gum inflammation
- White spot lesions (Early signs of decay)
- Bad breath
The good news? With the right routine, it’s easy to keep your teeth and gums in great shape while your braces do their job.
Braces Hygiene Tips
Brush after Meals
After you eat a meal, wait 30-60mins to brush your teeth and braces. Ensure you are using a soft toothbrush or electric brush to clean around each bracket and the wires. Ensure the bristles are angled slightly towards your gums with a light pressure to prevent gingivitis. This technique can also be used for patients with aligners around attachments.
Interdental brushes are your friend
Interdental brushes are great to use in between the teeth, especially if there is large spacing. They are also excellent to use along each bracket to clean under the wire. This is a common area where food and plaque can build up. Using interdental brushes after every meal to remove food debris and plaque will prevent any decay or permanent damage to your enamel around the brackets.
Don’t Skip the Floss
Yes, flossing with braces can take more time but it is worth it! Floss threaders or orthodontic flossers can help you get under the wires and between the teeth more easily.
Watch what you eat
Sticky, hard, sugary or chewy foods can damage your braces and leave residue on your teeth. Cut up fruit and veggies, avoid lollies and steer clear of soft drinks and sports drinks.
Consider a water flosser
Water flossers are great at flushing food particles from around brackets and are gentle on the gums. They are great for patients who struggle with regular flossing or find they have dexterity troubles with interdental brushes.
Teeth move faster in a healthy mouth!
At Toowong Orthodontics, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re in braces, aligners or still deciding on treatment, our team is always happy to give personalised advice on the best oral care routine for your smile.
