Wearing braces is, if needed, a smart move for your future oral health. However, maintaining your dental health while wearing braces can be a bit of a challenge at first. You have brackets to work around, your mouth may be a bit sore, and the dental care tools you used to use may no longer suit you. But rest assured – it is possible to keep your teeth clean and healthy while wearing braces. Here are some top tips to follow while wearing braces.
Use a Softer Toothbrush
Especially when you first get braces, your gums and cheek tissue may be a little more sensitive than usual. So, brushing your teeth may cause a little discomfort. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush can really help. The bristles are less likely to irritate your gums. Soft bristles also bend nicely around the brackets on your braces, so they may do a more effective job of cleaning.
Most stores that sell toothbrushes will have soft-bristled varieties. Often, you’ll see the word “soft” in a banner across the top of the package label.
Take Your Time When Brushing
When you have braces, food particles can get caught in and around the brackets. If you don’t clear them out soon enough, oral bacteria can start breeding in these areas. Then, you’ll be more prone to tooth decay and cavities. To keep this from happening, you need to be very thorough when brushing around your braces brackets.
Up until this point, you may have gotten away with rushing through your brushing routine. But with braces, it’s even more important to slow down and take your time. If you find yourself rushing, set a timer for 3 minutes, or even 4 minutes. Brush until the timer rings. Some people also find it helpful to focus on one tooth at a time. You could, for example, brush one tooth to the count of 15, then move on to the next tooth.
Use a Fluoridated Toothpaste
Most people should use a toothpaste containing fluoride anyways, but this becomes even more important when you have braces. Fluoride is a natural mineral that helps harden your tooth enamel. Hard tooth enamel is less prone to cavities and decay. And when you’re dealing with the intricacies of wearing braces, you need all the help you can get.
It’s usually pretty easy to tell whether a toothpaste contains fluoride. It will be clearly stated on the label. One thing to note is that many “natural” toothpastes do not contain fluoride.
Limit Sugary Foods
When you eat sugary foods, some of the sugary residue stays in your mouth and feeds oral bacteria. Eventually, those oral bacteria can lead to cavities and gum disease. When you’re wearing braces, there are even more places for that sugary residue to get caught, and also more places for oral bacteria to hide. So, it’s more important than ever to limit your intake of sugary foods.
You don’t have to swear off soda and birthday cake forever, but make them occasional treats rather than daily indulgences. And when you do eat or drink anything sugary, make sure you sip some water afterwards. This will help rinse away some of the sugar and bacteria before they have a chance to cause problems.
Use an Antiseptic Mouthwash
Find an antiseptic mouthwash you enjoy, and get into the habit of using it after every brushing session. This will help kill any lingering oral bacteria, and it will also help combat the bad breath that braces wearers are sometimes prone to.
Many people prefer alcohol-free mouthwashes, as they tend to have a milder flavor. You can also look for a mouthwash that contains fluoride for a little extra enamel health support.
Keep Up With Dental Cleanings
When you have braces, it can feel like you’re always at the dentist (or orthodontist) to have them tightened or adjusted. You may be tempted to skip your cleaning appointments so you don’t have to go to the dentist yet again. But it’s so important to keep up with regular cleaning appointments when you have braces. Not only will your hygienist remove any built-up tartar during these visits, but they can also evaluate how effective you’ve been at brushing and give you tips to improve, if needed. This can make a huge difference in your long-term dental health.
We hope these tips help you keep your teeth healthy while wearing braces. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a dental appointment, contact Coast Dental Centre. As your dentist in Maple Ridge, we offer individualized treatment plans, and we always take a gentle and informative approach.