Tips for Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene With Braces

Maintaining good oral hygiene is important to avoid frequent visits at a dentist’s office. Poor hygiene can lead to gum disease, which in turn can cause more serious health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or even dementia. Keeping your oral cavity clean can be more challenging if you wear braces, so it is extremely important to pay more attention to how you take care of your teeth and gums in between visits to your orthodontist. Here are some tips shared by specialists from Chula Vista Dentists from Bajars & Bajars clinic on how to keep good oral hygiene with braces:

Brushing

If you wear braces, you should never skip brushing after a meal. Remember to brush for at least two minutes each time. Don’t let the wires get in your way. Be patient, and don’t neglect your back teeth. You can buy a smaller toothbrush or an interdental brush to reach every surface between the wires. You may replace the toothbrush more often than usually, that is every three months, as the bristle can wear out sooner due to the wires. Use a toothpaste with fluoride as it can prevent tooth decay.

After brushing

Do NOT skip flossing! It is definitely more difficult to floss with braces, but flossing is necessary as it is the only way to remove the plaque and food remains stuck between the teeth.
Use an antiseptic mouthwash to prevent more plaque buildup and to soothe gum irritation caused by wearing braces.

Diet

Maintaining good oral hygiene extends beyond brushing and flossing. Pay attention to some foods, e.g. fruit, as acids contained in fruit can break down tooth surface and cause tooth decay. Avoid products with high content of sugar and sticky food. It’s also recommended to stay away from coffee, tea and wine as they cause stains and tooth discoloration. Smoking tobacco should also be avoided as it weakens the gums and reduces the body’s ability to fight diseases.