Braces are wonderful for straightening your teeth. However, brushing your teeth while wearing braces can be challenging if you’ve never done it before. Fortunately, some of the same techniques for brushing your teeth without braces still hold true when you’re wearing them.
Rinse Before, After, and In-Between
It’s smart for everyone to use mouthwash. Folks with braces can especially benefit from mouthwash because it can knock any food remnants out of the braces. You should rinse with mouthwash after you brush your teeth. Using mouthwash before you brush your teeth can reduce the effectiveness of the mouthwash because you’ll be brushing it away.
Approach at an Angle
If you’re wearing braces, brushing your teeth head-on won’t be effective. You’ll need to tilt the brush’s head at a 45-degree angle. This will allow you to get the brush bristles under and into your braces.
Use a Proxabrush
No matter how diligent you are with your regular toothbrush, you likely won’t be able to reach every spot. Fortunately, you can use proxabrushes, which look like a tiny pipe cleaner. This brush will make it easier to remove food stuck in your braces.
Consider Using a Water Flosser
Water flossers are a great option for people with braces. These flossers use high-pressure streams of water to blast food and plaque away. They can be easier to handle and use than traditional floss, and they can remove plaque in hard-to-reach places.
It’s important to be careful and work with a dentist if you’re going to use a water flosser. The high-pressure streams of water could damage your braces if you misuse the flosser. Used correctly, however, water flossers typically won’t cause damage.
Stick to Your Routine
It’s crucial that you stick to your oral health routines. Skipping brushing or not taking your time to floss could prove detrimental to your oral health. Unfortunately, however, the Cleveland Clinic has found that 80% of children and 31% of adults aren’t brushing as much as they should.
If you need help with setting up a routine to keep your braces clean, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at Four Corners Orthodontics & Dental today to schedule a consultation with us. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.