Maintaining Oral Health During Orthodontic Treatment: Tips and Advice
Oral hygiene is a fundamental part of well-being, regardless of whether you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment or not. However, orthodontic devices make proper teeth cleaning all the more important. Bacteria can easily become trapped against clear aligners or in between the metal brackets of traditional braces. If you want the healthiest smile possible once your teeth are straightened, stay diligent about your oral health during treatment.
Tips for Oral Health Care During Orthodontic Treatment
It’s easy to start ignoring the advice of your dental team once you’ve left the office and you’re tempted by that bag of hard sour candy on the counter at home. Braces can be especially difficult, as kids and teens are often tasked with wearing them for over a year.
Remaining dedicated to taking care of your oral health is a lifelong commitment and one that requires a few extra tips and tricks while undergoing orthodontic treatment.
- Follow recommended brushing techniques
- Regularly attend dental check-ups
- Be wary of hard, sticky, sugary foods
- Rinse before brushing to loosen particles
- Swish with an antimicrobial mouthwash
When wearing Invisalign, the clear aligners must stay as translucent as possible for maximum discretion. Cleaning the aligners thoroughly removes any leftover bacteria and keeps it off of your teeth. With braces, using tools such as an interdental brush can help you loosen and remove stubborn debris despite the obstruction of the orthodontic device.
Brushing your teeth and flossing regularly is more important than ever when you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. Teeth can be at a higher risk of decay when they’re covered by an aligner all day or when they’re bonded together with metal wiring. Using mouthwash is another tool for reaching difficult spots and helps to protect against decay and gum disease throughout treatment.
Managing the Challenges of Orthodontic Care
As anyone who’s ever worn braces will assure you, it can be difficult to get to those hard-to-reach spots. This doesn’t mean that you should throw in the towel when brushing or flossing, however. Using the tools and techniques provided by your dentist, you can keep your oral health in pristine condition.
One of the biggest challenges of managing your oral health during orthodontic care is staying vigilant against gum disease, which presents as gingivitis in its early stages. The best way to do this is to prevent the buildup of plaque.
Patients undergoing orthodontic treatment should attend all of their check-ups, as this is the best opportunity to discuss any discomfort with the dentist. Loose brackets can be managed with orthodontic wax if they’re becoming irritating, though you should schedule an appointment to have them tightened or trimmed.
Looking for Orthodontic Treatment in Westbury?
Brush Hollow Orthodontics is a practice specializing in treatments such as traditional braces, Invisalign aligners, and phase I orthodontics. Dr. Erin Diamantakis invites patients to schedule a free consultation to discuss the concerns they have about their smile and how we can help them reach a brighter, more aligned future.
