A comprehensive guide to cleaning teeth with braces, covering brushing, flossing (with floss threaders!), mouthwash, and even Waterpiks, plus important tips to maintain a healthy smile during orthodontic treatment.
Okay, so you’ve got braces? We know the feeling and probably asking yourself, “How am I gonna keep these things, and my teeth, clean?!”
That’s totally understandable. It can seem like a monumental task. We’re gonna break it all down for you. We’ll explore the ins and outs of keeping your pearly whites (and all that metal) sparkling clean. Let’s jump in!
- How to Clean Your Teeth
- Cleaning with a Brush and Paste
- Cleaning Using Dental Floss
- Cleaning Using Mouthwash
- Important Tips for Cleaning Teeth Being Treated with Braces
- Consequences of Neglecting Teeth Cleaning
How to Clean Your Teeth
Cleaning your teeth is pretty much the same, whether you’ve got natural teeth, artificial ones, or you’re rocking braces. The basics stay the same; it is just a matter of being a bit more attentive.
We can break down tooth cleaning into three main parts, which we’ll get into.
1. Cleaning with a Brush and Paste
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of cleaning your teeth with a brush and toothpaste, let’s go over a few pointers that are specific to brushing with braces. We’ve noticed that it’s important to follow these guidelines:
- Choose a toothbrush with a small head, and soft bristles to easily reach all parts of your mouth.
- You’re also better off using toothpaste with fluoride.
- You should brush your teeth with a brush and toothpaste in the morning and evening after meals, for two minutes each time.
- You should change your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months.
When it comes to brushing with braces, it’s pretty straightforward. Just keep these steps in mind:
- Put some toothpaste on your toothbrush and brush at a 45-degree angle against your teeth.
- Move the brush up and down to clean the front teeth.
- Keep moving the brush from top to bottom while keeping the teeth together.
- Clean the inner, outer, top, and bottom surfaces of the teeth, especially the parts around the braces. Make sure to get rid of any small bits of food that might be stuck to them. Those bits can really cause some buildup.
2. Cleaning Using Dental Floss
Flossing is a must to clean between your teeth daily. It’s crucial for your dental health. Trust us, brushing alone won’t cut it when it comes to getting rid of bacteria that cause plaque buildup.
Cleaning your teeth with floss is seriously important, and it’s done by following these steps:
- You’ll need about 20 centimeters of floss.
- Gently move the floss between your teeth from the surface of the tooth all the way to the gums. Be careful not to hurt your gums.
Now, here’s where it gets a little tricky. Cleaning between your teeth when you’re wearing braces. I remember when I first got mine, I was like, “How am I supposed to do this?!” But don’t worry, there’s a tool for that called a floss threader. It’s basically like a needle for your floss, and it helps you get the floss between the brackets.
3. Cleaning Using Mouthwash
Using an antiseptic mouthwash twice a day after meals is super helpful. It helps get rid of any food leftovers between your teeth, and it lowers your risk of getting any infections from the braces.
Cleaning your teeth with mouthwash doesn’t mean you can skip brushing and flossing. You’ve gotta do it all!
Important Tips for Cleaning Teeth Being Treated with Braces
Cleaning your teeth is pretty much the same. That said, if you’re rocking braces, you’ve gotta be extra careful, and follow these guidelines:
- You should clean your teeth that are being treated with braces morning and evening, and after every meal.
- The wires of your braces should be cleaned with a specialized brush.
Alright, so we’ve covered the basics of cleaning your teeth with braces. We know that can feel like a lot to take in, so here’s a quick recap, including an important point we didn’t cover: Waterpiks. Have you heard of ’em?
Waterpiks are those little water-jet thingies, you can use them to blast away food particles from those hard-to-reach spots around your brackets and wires. We’d really recommend adding one to your oral hygiene routine. Trust us, it’s a game-changer!
Consequences of Neglecting Teeth Cleaning
If you don’t clean your teeth properly, you’re gonna have problems with your health, and some of the problems are:
- Gingivitis: Gingivitis results from germs in the mouth, and specifically bacteria.
- Periodontitis: It results from ignoring gingivitis.
- Tooth Decalcification: It happens because you don’t take care of your teeth.
Key takeaways
- Use a soft bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss daily, possibly using a floss threader to maneuver around the brackets.
- Consider adding a waterpik to your oral hygiene routine to blast away difficult to reach food.
FAQ, Myth & Facts
Can I just use mouthwash instead of brushing?
Nope! Mouthwash is great for killing bacteria and freshening your breath, but it doesn’t physically remove plaque and food particles like brushing does. Think of it as a supplement, not a replacement.
Is it okay to use regular floss with braces?
While you *can* technically use regular floss, it’s gonna be a pain to get it behind the wires. Floss threaders or special orthodontic floss are way easier and more effective.
Will my teeth be stained when the braces come off?
Potentially, if you don’t keep them clean, those white spots can turn into permanent stains. That’s why consistent and thorough cleaning is vital. The goal is to keep your teeth healthy and reduce any long-term aesthetic problems.
Can I whiten my teeth while wearing braces?
Whitening with braces is not recommended, it is best to wait until after your orthodontic treatment is completed.
Is electric toothbrush better than manual toothbrush with braces?
With braces, an electric toothbrush can be more effective for cleaning, but both types can maintain good oral hygiene if used correctly. It’s all about technique.
“I was so overwhelmed when I first got braces. I didn’t realize how much extra work it would be to keep my teeth clean. Brushing and flossing felt like a full-time job, and I was always worried about food getting stuck. But once I got into a routine, it became manageable, and the results were totally worth it.”
“Honestly, flossing with braces was the worst. I hated using those floss threaders, but my orthodontist was super strict about it. Eventually, I switched to those little interdental brushes, and they made a world of difference. It’s worth experimenting to find what works best for you.”
“I slacked on my oral hygiene, and I regret it so much! When my braces came off, I had all these nasty white spots on my teeth where the brackets had been. Now I have to get cosmetic work done to fix them. Please, learn from my mistakes and take care of your teeth!”
So, there you have it. Cleaning your teeth with braces takes a bit of extra effort, but it’s totally doable. Remember those tips we talked about, especially flossing and keeping an eye on what you eat. I know it feels overwhelming right now but think of that gorgeous smile waiting for you when those braces finally come off! That’s a great reward isn’t it.
