The importance of good oral hygiene cannot be overstressed and especially when you are wearing braces. Here are some of the materials and resources that you should have in or around your medicine cabinet to ensure that you keep your mouth as healthy as possible.
Toothbrush and Toothpaste
The basis of any good oral hygiene regimen when you have braces is the good old-fashioned toothbrush and fluoride-based toothpaste. With more places for food to hide and an increased chance for plaque formation (which was discussed in a an earlier post), the recommendation is that you brush after every meal.
Mouthwash
Mouthwashes (with or without fluoride) are also an invaluable line of defense against the accumulation of food, especially when you can’t brush or you forgot the travel toothbrush. If you forget the mouthwash, water is a decent short-term substitute.
Floss
It probably comes as no surprise that floss is also an invaluable ally when it comes to making sure that your braces, teeth and gums stay are healthy as possible. Yet, many braces wearers are not as fastidious as they need to be with this habit.
Wearing braces does make flossing a little more complicated, which can translate into “wavering dedication,” but there are alternatives to the traditional floss threader that can be helpful in sticking with the routine.
Just a reminder that if you are using floss, remember not to apply a lot of downward pressure on the archwire.
Interdental Brushes
They are as good (and some studies suggest maybe better) way to clear out interproximal plaque. But you don’t have to take our word for it. You can read about the effectiveness of interdental brushes as an alternative to floss in the fight against plaque here.
WaterPik
More automated than the interdental brush, the machine relies on jets of water to clear remnants off the tooth’s surface, around the gumline and between teeth.
Proxabrushes
Proxabrushes are instrumental in helping to keeping your braces debris free. Shaped and contoured to fit comfortably in the spaces between braces, they are essentially floss for you braces, helping to keep the area around braces spick and span.
Dentists
Less material and more a resource, your dentist is someone you should refamiliarize yourself with. While in braces it is recommended that you visit your dentist up to twice a year. They will monitor the overall health of your teeth and gums and give you the best options based on their professional opinions.
Good dental hygiene is a vital component of a positive experience with braces. Your experienced Orthodontic Associates’ doctors will remind you of that as well the steps you will will need to take to keep your teeth and gums healthy with your braces on. Call for your free initial consultation at any of our nine convenient locations around Baltimore. We look forward to making you smile!
