While braces will not necessarily cause stains, insufficient and improper teeth cleaning when you are wearing braces may lead to different dental issues such as discoloration and tooth decay. Various types of dental appliances will be introduced to our oral system, such as screws, springs, brackets, elastic bands, wires, etc. You must understand that foreign materials can become trapped around this orthodontic hardware when you obtain braces. For this reason, you must know how to keep them clean.
Best Ways to Clean Your Braces According to Your Dentist in NW Calgary
Eliminating the acid, biofilm, and food debris on your braces will protect your oral system from various dental illnesses. Our dentist near you will remind you that proper at-home care will minimize the probability that a dental problem will develop.
Brushing Your Teeth
Whether using an electric or a manual toothbrush, you must find a toothbrush with a compact head and soft bristles. Our dentist, with expertise in dental braces near you, will often recommend this brush. Before brushing your teeth, the elastic must be removed to ensure the wires and hooks will not be displaced. When brushing your teeth, hold your toothbrush at an angle of 45 degrees against your gum line. Brush the surface of your teeth in a circular motion. The surface of your biting teeth should also be cleaned appropriately. The area at the bottom and top of the braces should be brushed, too, to remove the food debris and plaque.
Interproximal Cleaners
It should be noted that multiple types of interproximal cleaners are designed to remove debris and foreign objects in our oral system. It will include interdental cleaners, super floss, woven type of dental floss, proxy brushes, and soft picks. These items can be conveniently carried into your bags. You can use them if you need more time to clean your teeth with conventional dental floss, even treating this as an alternative to flossing your teeth using the appropriate threader suggested by your dentist in NW Calgary. Food debris can be trapped between the wires and teeth. Therefore, finding time to clean the wires to eliminate debris and avoid damage to your enamel is essential. Thread floss makes it possible to access spaces beyond the reach of other cleaning devices.
An Oral Irrigator
An oral irrigator, a water flosser, or a dental water jet can be purchased at your local retail chains and drugstores. You can also ask the dentist near you to provide you with a recommendation. The stream that will be released from the device will help in cleaning different types of dental appliances, such as your braces. It is useful to eliminate acid, plaque, bacteria, and food particles in the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth. While this will make your dental hygiene more convenient, you should always treat this as something other than a replacement for brushing and flossing.
Fluoride Treatment
Topical fluoride is essential regardless if you have braces or not. However, it will become more important during and after your orthodontic care. Braces will make it extra challenging to keep your teeth clean. It increases the probability that tooth decay will develop while wearing them. Fluoride is intended to lower that risk. Ask your dentist, that specializes in dental braces in NW Calgary, to prescribe you a fluoride toothpaste that will go a long way in protecting your dental health.
Sometimes, signs of cavities will be discovered once our dentist in NW Calgary removes your braces. Fortunately, dental issues can be prevented by following the tips mentioned here. Learning how to clean your oral system while wearing braces will give you a perfectly aligned set of teeth and ensure optimum dental health.
