When you’re looking for an orthodontist in St. Paul, we at at Meister Orthodontics strive to be your number one choice. It’s our goal to help each and every one of our patients attain the smile they’ve always wanted, and we accomplish this by offering a number of orthodontic treatments, including different types of braces. But did you know that when you wear braces it becomes even more important to take care of your teeth? Read our simple tips for maintaining good oral hygiene below!
Brushing with Braces
We typically recommend that our patients with braces brush 4 times a day, or after every meal and once before bed. Your braces contain many crevices where food particles can become easily trapped, causing plaque to build up if not regularly brushed.
Flossing with Braces
Flossing daily is an important addition to oral hygiene with braces. It requires a bit more patience than traditional flossing because you have to carefully clean around your braces and wires. Fortunately there are tools you can use to easily clean your teeth, such as reusable floss threaders to slide up and down under your archwire and between your teeth.
Using an Interdental Toothbrush
If you’re having a difficult time flossing with regular dental floss, we recommend using an interdental toothbrush. These brushes are great at getting hard-to-reach areas between teeth, under your archways, and around your braces. Make sure to use it gently to avoid damaging your gums or wires.
Rinsing with Mouthwash
To reduce the possibility of infections that can develop when wearing braces, we recommend you use a hydrogen peroxide antiseptic mouth rinse after you brush your teeth. This can also help reduce irritation caused by braces such as bitten cheeks, canker sores, or tender gums.
Applying Topical Fluoride
You can help further prevent tooth decay by applying a small amount of fluoride before bed. This gel is helpful because it kills bacteria and replenishes the natural minerals in your tooth enamel. For maximum effectiveness, keep it on your teeth for sixty seconds and then spit it out. You’ll want to refrain from eating or drinking for the next 30 minutes.
Cleaning Your Removable Appliance
In order to keep your removable orthodontic appliance clean, you’ll need to brush and soak your appliance daily. We recommend using a denture-cleaning tablet in water. If your appliance has any metal wires or clips do not use denture cleaners as they may damage the wires.
Contact Meister Orthodontics Today!
Still have questions about the best ways to maintain great oral hygiene while you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment at Meister Orthodontics? We have the answers and support that you need. Contact us and schedule an appointment today!