Started the journey towards a perfect smile with braces but not sure how to keep your teeth healthy along the way? Read below for our best tips to keep your pearly whites in good shape while they are being straightened.
During orthodontic treatment you will have brackets and/or attachments on your teeth which tend to attract plaque. This is why it is more important than ever to be diligent with your oral hygiene routine. Usually you need to brush and floss twice per day, but during orthodontics, it is recommended to clean your teeth after every meal.
Invisalign and other clear aligner systems have the advantage of being removable so that you can brush and floss your teeth as per normal, but you should take extra care around any attachments on your teeth. Cleaning your teeth before you reinsert your aligners also helps to ensure that they do not become stained.
With traditional braces, you will generally have a bracket on every tooth and then a wire that runs through these. This makes brushing and flossing a little bit more complicated. Using either a regular or an electric toothbrush, angle the brush downwards to clean above the brackets, and then angle it upwards to clean under them. You can then use floss threaders or ‘Superfloss’ which helps you get around the wire to clean in between the teeth. Alternatively, you can use interdental brushes.
There are some foods that you may want to avoid during braces to prevent any breakage of wires or brackets. Anything particularly chewy, crunchy, sticky, or hard is best avoided. You may want to reduce consumption of very colourful foods or drinks so that your teeth or any components of the braces do not become stained. To prevent decay and white spots on your enamel, stay away from sugary and acidic foods and drinks, and ensure that your teeth are getting enough fluoride to keep them strong!
@orthodonticsaustralia is a great resource for anyone undergoing orthodontic treatment- check them out! 😬
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