Traditional braces are a tried-and-true method of realigning a smile, but they require no small amount of effort on the patient’s part to perform their job well. In addition to avoiding crunchy, sugary, and sweet foods, someone wearing braces will have to take care to clean them several times a day to prevent tooth decay and discoloration. Here are a few items to make sure you have if you’re wearing braces or scheduled to receive them soon.
Orthodontic Cleaning Utensils
You’re going to need the right tools to keep your teeth healthy while wearing braces. A few items to check off your list include:
A Toothbrush
Brushing one’s teeth at least twice a day is a crucial part of everyone’s dental hygiene, and it doesn’t become any less important when you have braces. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, brush each surface of your teeth using gentle, circular motions. This will eliminate much plaque and food debris.
Dental Floss
Flossing is just as crucial to your oral health as brushing because it can eliminate plaque and food debris from between the teeth. You can even get dental floss in mint flavor if that’s your preference.
An Interproximal Brush
It can be easy to get food stuck between your teeth and the wires attached to your brackets. An interproximal brush can reach into these tiny areas as well as around the brackets and sometimes between teeth.
Dental Health Materials
The tools listed above need help from some other products to do their job thoroughly. Make sure your orthodontic hygiene kit includes:
Toothpaste
While a toothbrush can clean teeth without toothpaste, it does a much better job with it. Toothpaste helps scrape plaque and food debris from the teeth, polish the enamel, and freshen breath.
Orthodontic Wax
Traditional braces include many metal parts and wires that can sometimes poke into the soft tissues in your mouth. You can use orthodontic wax to cover these pointy bits so you can be more comfortable.
Over-the-Counter Pain Medication
Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help take the edge off any discomfort you may experience while wearing braces.
Making sure you’re well-supplied for oral hygiene when you’re wearing braces can make your treatment a pleasant and speedy one. By sticking to your orthodontist’s directions, you can make sure that you achieve the best possible results.
About the Author
Dr. Michael Everson earned his dental degree at the Indiana School of Dentistry and completed his orthodontic residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry. He is a proud member of the American Dental Association, the American Association of Orthodontists, and the Georgia Dental Association. His office in Atlanta, GA offers traditional braces, Invisalign clear aligners, and dentofacial orthopedics. For more information on practicing proper oral hygiene while wearing braces, contact the office online or dial (404) 697-7497.