How to Clean your Teeth with Braces

Do you have braces and find it very difficult to clean your teeth?

Braces act as a barrier between you and your teeth, making it impossible to clean out the debris properly. However, it is very important to keep your braces clean, as it is a part of your oral hygiene. So, here is how you can take care of them.

Spindle Toothbrush

Your toothbrush that you used before you got braces will not be adequate anymore. While it does work to some extent, there are a few better options, which serve the purpose and make cleaning teeth with braces much easier. You may want to look for toothbrushes that are specifically made for people with braces. Brushes with spindles help clean the teeth around the brackets and wires thoroughly.

Brush the Exterior Surfaces

Debris and plaque accumulate the most on the exterior surface of the teeth; this is where the brackets have been bonded. This is where the plaque is most obvious, especially on the braces. Start off by brushing your teeth under the braces and removing food particles from below the brackets. Then brush above the brackets and try to clean as much of every tooth and in between the wires. Keeping the brush at a 45 degrees position with help you clean more ideally.

Brush the Interior Surfaces

Once you are done brushing your front teeth, brush your molars. You can brush them normally, giving special attention to all the surfaces of the molars. Use the toothbrush in a circular motion to clear away any plaque and debris. Although this part of your mouth is easier to clean, do not rush it. Give your molar as much time and attention as the surface’s braces are adhered to.

Floss

Although it may seem impossible to floss your teeth because of all the wires obstructing the spaces between your teeth. It is very important to floss your teeth, especially when you have brace. Even if it takes extra time to do so, it is all worth the effort, to keep your teeth clean. Moreover, there are a number of options that are much better than the traditional floss. For instance, floss picks, which are small floss pieces attached to a plastic toothpaste. They help clean your teeth properly in between the spaces. Other than that, a water flosser is also a good option for people with braces, as it pushes water through the gaps between the teeth and removes all food particles and plaque.

Mouthwash

It is very important to use a mouthwash when you get your braces. Since your mouth is not used to the brackets and wires, there is a high chance of food accumulation in these areas, which can lead to bad breath. Hence, using a mouthwash after brushing and flossing your teeth is a good way to kill any bacteria lurking in your mouth. Moreover, it also prevents bad breath from becoming a major problem. A mouth wash with fluoride as one of the ingredients is best.

As you can read, it is important that you pay sufficient attention to the care of your teeth while wearing braces.

Another option is to consider wearing clear braces, the great advantage of braces is that you can take them off when you’re eating or drinking and while brushing your teeth, they’re off so you can get around the teeth with your toothbrush.

If you have any questions or if a transparent brace is a solution for your situation, make an appointment with us so we can discuss this with you.