The Best Ways to Keep Teeth With Braces Clean

A lot of kids in this country, and adults for that matter, end up needing to wear braces. This can make brushing teeth more difficult, but if you take your time and learn the proper techniques, you'll soon get used to it. As your trusted dentists in Southern Missouri, we've got a few tips to help you keep your mouth clean and healthy while the braces do their work.

When your teeth are not properly taken care of under those braces, many problems can arise. These include cavities, swollen and infected gum tissue, tooth discoloration, and possibly even decalcification. Access Dental and Dentures can help you do your best to keep that from happening.

Brush Thoroughly
Food easily gets trapped underneath braces, but taking the time to thoroughly brush on and around each surface can help to get rid of it. First, rinse with water to loosen some of the food particles.

Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums. Angle it down to brush the top of the brackets and then angle it up to reach the bottoms. Brush for 2-3 minutes at least twice a day, and don't forget to also brush your tongue to remove additional bacteria. You might want to use an interdental brush, which kind of looks like a toothpick with a pipe cleaner on the end, to get to the hardest to reach places. 

Floss Between Brackets
Flossing should be done at least once a day and you will need to be more careful than before you had braces. The floss must be threaded under the main wire before going between your teeth. A floss threader can help with this. Waxed floss is best to avoid it getting shredded and caught in the braces. You may also want to invest in a water pick. These are wonderful for getting to the hardest places to reach.

Rinse After Eating
For those times when you cannot immediately brush your teeth after eating, rinsing your mouth out with water can be very helpful. This can dislodge food particles and also rinse away some of the food and sugar left behind on your teeth.

Don't Miss Checkups 
Regular dental and orthodontic checkups are even more important when you have braces. In addition to the deep cleaning, you want to have a professional take a look to make sure that the braces are doing their job.

At all of our dental offices in Southern Missouri, we are always available to answer any questions you may have about dental hygiene. Now that you have a few tips on how to best keep your teeth clean with braces, carry that knowledge over and keep up those healthy habits after the braces are removed too. After all, wearing braces did a lot to give you the smile you ended up with, and Access Dental wants to make sure that you keep it looking its best for many, many years to come.

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile! 

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