LIFE HACK – How to Brush Your Teeth While Wearing Braces
Braces are great for creating a beautiful smile that is, if you take care of them. Keeping your teeth clean with brace involves, not just brushing your teeth, but getting in between the brackets and wires where food particles and plaque collect. Whether you’re new to braces or have had them for a while and keep getting complaints from your orthodontist, this LIFE HACK – How to Brush Your Teeth While Wearing Braces – will definitely help.
Choosing a Toothbrush
You’ll want to choose a toothbrush that can clean between and around the brackets and along the gum line safely. Some orthodontists recommend using a soft bristle toothbrush and most recommend using an electric toothbrush because they make life a lot easier. Despite their best efforts, most people don’t brush their teeth as thoroughly as they should, usually because bristles of manual toothbrushes can have a harder time reaching between the teeth than electric brushes, Also, most electric versions come with built in timers, taking the guesswork out of how long you should be brushing, a significant benefit for kids.
Swish and Rinse
Before You brush, swish and rinse your mouth with water to clear out food that’s stuck between your teeth and braces.
The Basics of Brushing Your Teeth with Braces
When it comes to effectively brushing your teeth, it’s the position that you hold the toothbrush in that makes the ultimate difference. When you only brush back and forth (like a lot of people do), you only end up cleaning the bracket – you won’t be able to clean your teeth effectively if the toothbrush can’t get to your teeth.
Brush at a 45% Angle
Hold your toothbrush at a 45% angle facing up, working the bristles in-between and to the sides of the braces bracket. In addition, brush and massage the gums, gently moving food away from the gum line. Next, repeat the same steps, using the same 45% angle only facing down.
How Often Should I Brush?
Focus on brushing your teeth after every meal and after snacks as often as possible. It’s a good idea to keep a toothbrush handy on the go as well. At the very least, swish and rinse out your mouth with a dental rinse (carry a small sample bottle with you) or water after you eat so that food particles don’t remain stuck in your teeth and braces until you get home.
Risks of Poor Oral Hygiene
What makes good oral hygiene so important is the fact that braces and any parts associated with them, catch food particles that could potentially cause bacterial plaque buildup, over time breaking down the layers of a tooth, beginning with the enamel. Eventually, the teeth are left with stains, white decalcification marks, cavities and eventually gum disease can occur. The most efficient way to prevent damage to your teeth is to maintain good oral hygiene habits, including brushing your teeth following the tactics listed here.
If you have any questions regarding how to brush your teeth with braces, or about braces in general, contact iSmiles Orthodontics, your Irvine Orthodontist today – we’re here to help.
