Going through the orthodontic process might be inconvenient and tough at times, but it is extremely important to keep up with your daily oral hygiene routine. Orthodontists today strongly recommend participating in a daily oral hygiene routine that includes the following steps:
1. Prepare to brush: Before you start brushing your teeth, make sure to remove any rubber bands or attachable objects from your braces.
2. Brush: Brush your teeth with a strong, durable, and efficient toothbrush. Throughout this process, it is wise to spend about 10 seconds cleaning each tooth, removing the plaque, excess food, and debris from your teeth. To ensure a thorough cleaning job, scrub around the brackets, wires, and pins as much as possible to keep your braces in a healthy and functional condition.
3. Floss: Sometimes flossing can be a little tricky with braces, which is why orthodontists generally provide tools to help you, like floss threaders. When you floss, feed one end of the floss through the space between the wire and your tooth. Then, gently press the floss between your two teeth and rub each side, freeing any excess food or substance.
4. Rinse: When you are done brushing and flossing your teeth, rinse your mouth with bacteria-killing or fluoride mouthwash. Sip a small amount of rinse into your mouth and swish it around for about 40 seconds. When the time passes, spit the liquid into the sink.
In order to have a successful and productive process with your braces, orthodontists also strongly recommend avoiding these specific foods to keep your orthodontic appliance in tip-top shape:
• Sticky foods
• Hard-to-eat foods
• Corn on the cob
• Taffy
• Apples
• Bagels
• Caramel
• Nuts
• Popcorn
• Ice
• Bubble gum
• Carrots
• Pretzels
For more tips regarding your oral hygiene routine and having a successful and productive orthodontic experience, we encourage you to call our office today. We look forward to helping you achieve the healthy, straight, and beautiful smile you have always wanted!