Maintaining good oral hygiene is the most beneficial thing you can do at home to uphold a high standard of oral health. When you are having orthodontic treatment this can become more difficult. That is why it’s very important for you to know all the latest "Tips & Tricks" for maintaining good oral hygiene.
Traditional braces and clear aligner are extremally effective in correcting misaligned teeth, however, they can also trap food easily, which can cause your overall oral health to deteriorate. With these tip from the orthodontic team at Callan Dental, you will be able to keep up with your daily oral hygiene routine with very little stress.
The biggest enemy of oral health is plaque. But what is plaque?
Plaque is a soft biofilm that is constantly forming on your teeth due to the presence of bacteria in your mouth. Bacteria can multiply rapidly, especially when fed with the right kind of food, such as; carbonated drinks and foods high in sugar.
Every time you eat, you give the bacteria in your mouth more opportunity to grow and spread. Keeping plaque under control is one of the most effective means of maintaining strong, healthy teeth and gums. There are three general ways to do it: through diet, daily hygiene maintenance, and regular professional care. Taken all together, they are your teeth's best defence.
What You Can Do At Home
Everyone knows how important brushing and flossing is for keeping a healthy smile — But it is even more important if you're in the middle of orthodontic treatment.
Brushing your teeth with brackets and wires can be difficult as there is a large obstruction in front of your teeth. Here are some tips and tricks to help you along if you currently have traditional braces.
How to brush with traditional braces (wires and brackets):
• Brush your teeth twice a day - Morning & night.
• Use a round head electric toothbrush for a full two minutes.
• Use toothpaste that contains fluoride as this helps to prevent cavities.
• Give extra attention to the areas between the wires, teeth, brackets, and gums to make
sure there aren’t any left behind food particles.
• Use interdental toothbrushes and/or super floss to get in between the teeth and wires.
• After meals rinse mouth out to remove food debris.
When it comes to oral hygiene with clear aligners (Invisalign) it is just like how you would brush your teeth before you started your treatment, simply take them out and brush thoroughly. However, it is important to make sure you are not leaving any food debris on your teeth and then placing your retainer over top, as this could cause decay to form.
How to brush with removable aligners (Invisalign)
• Brush your teeth twice a day.
• Use a round head electric toothbrush for a full two minutes.
• Your aligner should be brushed daily with cold water and no toothpaste.
• We may also recommend using a cleaning solution.
Never put hot water on your retainer, because it can distort the soft plastic and make it unusable!
• Rinse your mouth after eating to remover some food debris that can get stuck in your retainer.
Here at Callan Dental, our team is dedicated to educating and helping you along with your oral hygiene before, during and after your orthodontic treatment here with us.
If you’re looking to book an appointment for orthodontic treatment, Callan Dental can offer you the help you need. Callan Dental opens late, on weekends and during lunchtime, so you'll always the perfect time to book a FREE CONSULTATION.
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