How to maintain hygiene with braces?
Healthy and clean teeth are more important than "straight" teeth!
Caregivers often notice that their kids have trouble maintaining good oral hygiene once they get braces. Worse, the oral hygiene deteriorates more when braces go on. It pains me to see teeth that are “straight” because patients underwent orthodontic treatment but have a ton of cavities or white spots (“Decalcifications”) because they did not maintain good oral hygiene when they were in braces.
In cases involving crowding of teeth, braces will improve oral hygiene once the crowding has been resolved. While undergoing treatment though, patients need to work hard to keep their mouths healthy.
How often should one brush?
2-3 times a day or after every big meal. First, rinse your mouth with water to dislodge the big food particles. Next, angle the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and brush the brackets, wire, and all the surfaces of the teeth.
How often should one floss?
At least once a day. Use a floss threader with floss and/or a water flosser like the Waterpik.
How often should one see their General Dentist?
You should still be seeing a dentist and getting your teeth professionally cleaned every 3-6 months. It’s a misconception that if you are seeing your orthodontist every 4-6 weeks, you can skip seeing your General dentist and hygienist.
Some useful tools -
Electric toothbrush – great at removing plaque, most have a built-in timer which can encourage good brushing habits
Water flosser like the Waterpik – great for dislodging food debris
Inter-proximal brushes – this is like a dental toothpick, good for teeth with gaps and for dislodging debris
Fluoridated mouthwash
MI paste – This is a cream you can apply to your teeth twice a day and it helps remineralize early demineralized lesions.
What to avoid when one is in braces?
Sticky, gooey foods - can cause cavities and are hard to remove if they get stuck to braces
Chewing bubble gums – can pull off brackets or elastics, can cause cavities as it has sugar. Try chewing sugar-free soft strip gums instead.
Sugary and acidic beverages – Limit consumption, use a straw, avoid frequent sipping.
Alternative treatment options like clear retainers allow for easier brushing/flossing but need excellent compliance to work. Have you seen ads for DIY clear retainers? Leave a comment and we can talk about the downside of DIY dentistry! See you next week :)