Tips for Living with Braces
When you choose an orthodontic treatment to straighten your teeth, you’re making a commitment.
You will have to wear your braces for a minimum of 6 months to 2 years, depending on the level of complexity involved in your case.
Ongoing oral care and hygiene go hand in hand with this commitment.
With the availability of a whole suite of orthodontic oral care products, it’s now easier to maintain oral cleanliness while wearing braces.
Read on to learn more about your Applecross dentist’s Tips for Living with Braces.
Tips for Proper Oral Hygiene
#1 Consider using an electronic toothbrush
Electronic toothbrushes effectively break down plaque and bacteria located on the surface of the teeth and the brackets. You’ll simply have to hold the brush for a few seconds over each tooth, not forgetting the insides of the teeth, the chewing surfaces and the area behind the molars. If you hold the brush at an angle over the brackets, you’ll also be able to reach the area beneath the wires.
#2 Floss with threader floss
Threader floss is designed for people wearing braces or implants. The thread has a certain degree of stiffness that allows you to push it through the tiny space between the teeth under the wire.
Using a forward-backward motion, you can gently lift particles that are trapped within the small gaps in your teeth.
Without regular flossing, you will be left with heavy plaque build-up by the time orthodontic treatment has ended.
#3 Avoid eating certain foods
Steer clear of chewy sugary treats and hard-to-bite foods like nuts or large pieces of apple.
Cut apples and crunchy vegetables into smaller pieces so you don’t damage your teeth or braces.
If the wire breaks at any time, place a piece of cotton over the wire and make an emergency dental appointment to have it fixed.
#4 Clean your trays regularly
If you’re using plastic aligners to straighten your teeth, make sure you use dentist-recommended cleaning products to keep your trays bacteria-free.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean the trays and always brush your teeth before putting clean trays back into your mouth.
Clear aligners need to be removed before meals and they shouldn’t be left in the open to attract dirt and other contaminants.
#5 Change your elastics
If you’ve been given elastics to reposition the teeth and the jaw, you will have to change them at least once a day if not twice or thrice.
Elastics lose their strength and don’t offer good results when they’re worn out. They must be replaced according to the instructions given by the orthodontist.
Braces are available in different colours and types.
Better Smiles at Epsom Dental Care Applecross
To learn more about orthodontic teeth straightening procedures contact the professionals at Epsom Dental Care Applecross.
We offer a host of dental health services like wisdom teeth removal, tooth extraction, teeth whitening, dental implants, teeth straightening and reshaping.
Our friendly staff, offer you the best solutions for all your family dental care needs.
We make sure you’re well looked after so you’ll have a very positive dental experience in Applecross.
If you have any questions about our services, we are happy to answer any questions and also schedule you an appointment. Simply contact us online or call (08) 9316 0555.
We are located at 729 Canning Hwy in Applecross WA.