When it comes to dental care, we always hear bout the importance of regular toothbrush for that strong and healthy teeth. However, if you’re wearing braces, it takes more than brushing your teeth three times a day to ensure that your oral health is in great condition.
No matter how much we understand how important this task is, some people think doing it three times a day is hard to keep. But, when you have braces, it becomes even more challenging. Wearing those metals in your mouth means getting pieces of food stuck in between your teeth is very common.
Your teeth will straighten, but you also put yourself at a higher risk of developing plaque. And it’s not just that. Without regular brushing and other oral care practices, you also have to worry about gum problems and eventually, tooth decay. Talk to your orthodontist in Oviedo for more information.
So, until it’s time to get rid of those braces, do everything you can to keep your gums disease-free. Here’s how:
Get the right toothbrush
When they’re all line up in the drugstores, all toothbrushes may look the same. But, each type works depending on your dental needs. When you’re wearing braces, there are two types you may need. One is a toothbrush with soft bristles, and the other is a proxabrush.
This is an interdental cleaner that works by getting into the hard to reach areas of the mouth, such as the spaces in between your brackets and braces. Your chosen toothbrush should be able to help you clean the surface of your teeth as well as move around and between your metal brackets for that thorough clean.
The usual up-and-down motion is all you need with your regular soft toothbrush. But, with a proxabrush, you do your strokes in every direction to get into every nook and cranny.
Start by brushing your teeth without toothpaste
No matter how odd it may seem at first, this hack actually works. When you brush your teeth without toothpaste, it means you won’t have to worry about foams building as you’re rotating your toothbrush. This, in turn, allows you to have a good view of your teeth and braces while you’re brushing.
When you’ve completely removed all the visible food particles that got in between your teeth and braces, add a small amount of toothpaste to your toothbrush and give your teeth another go. With this additional step to your dental care routine, you’ll be sure to have cleaner teeth while also getting the benefits that commercial toothpaste promise.
Many see flossing as just another step that makes dental care a task, even if you don’t have braces. But, this is one task you should never skip with or without those metals. You only need to do this once a day for at least two to three minutes.
Flosses come in different types, so talk to your orthodontist to see which type will work for your needs. Finally, remove all of the food and plaque you’ve just brushed and flossed with a nice mouthwash gargle.