Adults tend to get braces because they want their teeth to look their best, however, many people struggle with properly taking care of their braces for adults. The truth is that teeth with braces need different types of care. According to Today, it’s estimated that 91% of Americans between the ages of 20 and 64 have at least one cavity, and your chances of developing cavities are increased when you have braces. Let’s look at how to properly brush your teeth during your orthodontic treatment to avoid any unnecessary issues.
Swish First
You’ll want to start by swishing with mouthwash. An initial swish with mouthwash will start to dislodge food particles and kill bacteria before you even brush. This will make your brushing much more effective. After swishing you can remove the elastic bands in preparation for brushing. Mouthwash alone is never enough, but it’s a great addition to your routine.
Create Dental Routine
If you did not have a good dental routine in place before getting your braces on, you definitely need to create one now. It’s also a good idea to create a little dental care bag for yourself. This will encourage you to never skip dental care just because you can’t find what you’re looking for. Your dental care supplies should include your toothbrush, mouthwash, toothpaste, floss, pick, and mirror. Your dental care routine should include brushing after every meal. This is different than if you didn’t have braces. People without braces only need to brush twice a day. People with braces should brush after every meal.
Work Angles
Use the angling methods that were taught to you by your orthodontist. These are proven methods that ensure you are giving your teeth a thorough cleaning. Angling is especially important when you have braces on because it allows you to clean under the braces. People with crowded teeth tend to miss certain places on their teeth, allowing bacteria to fester. Angling your brush ensures this doesn’t happen.
Brushing is essential to dental care because it gets rid of plaque and other things that can build up on your teeth. This bacteria can be very damaging to teeth and brushing thoroughly can remove this dangerous substance. Because plaque and tartar are continually forming, however, you must brush continually. When you wear braces, plaque and tarter build up faster and have more places to hide on your teeth. If you’re in need of orthodontic care or more advice on how to properly brush your teeth with braces, please contact us today. We’re here for your dental needs!