How to Brush Your Teeth Properly with Braces
November 27, 2023 Image Credit:Maintaining a beautiful and healthy smile takes a lot of work – regular visits to a dentist, getting your teeth straightened by an orthodontist in Palmyra and maintaining oral hygiene. When you are wearing braces, the care is doubled. You need to take certain precautions, such as avoiding sticky food and maintaining a routine of brushing and flossing after every meal. Let’s take a look at how to clean your teeth with Palmyra braces:
Gather the Necessary Supplies
- Toothbrush: A soft-bristle toothbrush or an electric toothbrush.
- Interdental Brush: A small, cone-shaped brush that reaches between brackets and wires.
- Floss: It helps to thread under your wires for effective cleaning.
- Fluoride Toothpaste: Do not use abrasive toothpaste that might damage your braces.
- Mouthwash: An antimicrobial mouthwash for the first and final swish.
Brush Your Braces
- Hold your toothbrush at a 45° angle to the brackets. Move the brush in circular motions to cover every inch of the teeth. Next, brush the brackets’ bottoms and tops.
- Gently brush the wires in an upward angle.
- Brush for at least two minutes.
Clean Your Teeth
- Brush the backs, fronts, and chewing surfaces.
- Clean around the gumline, as it accumulates plaque often.
- Brush your mouth’s roof and tongue to freshen your breath.
Floss
- Move the floss under the wire and move it back and forth gently to avoid snapping it
- Repeat for each gap.
Use the Interdental Brush
- Insert the brush between two brackets and gently clean the gap.