Albertville, AL
If you’re one of the millions of Americans wearing braces, you know the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene. When you have braces, you have to take special care of your teeth and gums. Otherwise, food particles accumulate around the brackets and wires, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease. If you or a member of your family has braces, you need to read this article, as your Albertville dentists at Wall Street Dentistry explain the best way to keep your teeth clean while wearing braces.
It’s about technique
When you have braces, brushing your teeth is going to take more time and care. Make sure to brush in small circles, which will remove any food particles that might have built up under the gum line. Make sure to tilt the toothbrush at a slight angle and run your brush over the surface of every tooth, as well as between the braces. Your general dentists in Guntersville recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush or investing in an electric toothbrush.
It’s about repetition
The American Dental Association advises everyone to brush their teeth twice a day—in the morning and at night. If you have braces, we actually think you should double the frequency of your brushing. We advise brushing when you wake up after you eat lunch or get home from school, after you eat dinner, and after you go to bed. Now, by brushing this often, your toothbrush is going to wear out more quickly, so you will need to be prepared to change your toothbrush more often—both because of the greater frequency of the brushing and the damage to the bristles from the brackets and wire.
The right tools for the job
Our Albertville dentists also recommend daily flossing, but with braces, regular floss can be more difficult to use because you have to navigate around the brackets and wires of your braces. You can buy special orthodontic floss and flossers made for keeping your teeth clean while you wear braces. Meanwhile, consider investing in an interdental brush. This small tool will remove any food particles stuck in the arch wire or under brackets. Use the interdental brush before you brush and floss, and it will make a big difference in the overall hygiene level of your teeth.
Don’t forget the fluoride
If you aren’t already, make sure you are using a toothpaste that contains fluoride; just look for any that have the ADA seal on the packaging. You also should consider adding a fluoridated mouthwash to your regular regimen of oral care. Rinsing with a mouthwash of this type will provide extra defense against the threat of tooth decay while also strengthening the enamel on your teeth.
Braces in Albertville
Correcting crooked teeth improves your self-confidence and also your oral health. It makes it easier for you to keep your teeth clean and prevents any developing alignment issues with your bite. At Wall Street Dentistry, your Albertville dentists Dr. Jonathan Renfroe and Dr. Josh Conley are proud to offer a comprehensive program of orthodontic treatment that includes braces. We also offer early intervention for orthodontic needs for children. To find out more, call (256) 878-0525 to schedule your consultation today if you live in Albertville, Boaz, and Guntersville, Alabama.
