If you’re wondering how to have good oral hygiene with braces, you’re in the right place, because we’ve got the download on everything you need to know. From maintaining a healthy smile during treatment, to having a regular hygiene service when your braces come off, there’s plenty you can do to keep your pearly whites looking and feeling fresh.
How to have good oral hygiene with braces – the 101
Brush after you eat
Whether you wear clear retainers, have metal fixed braces or Invisalign, brushing after you eat is one of the most important ways to maintain great oral hygiene throughout orthodontic treatment. By brushing after meals or snacks, you can quickly and easily remove any debris that has built up around your teeth and braces, reducing the risk of plaque buildup and infection.
Carry a braces toolkit with you
You never know where you’ll be when disaster can strike, so do keep a braces toolkit with you wherever you go. This could include things like interdental brushes, floss, orthodontic wax, and mouthwash.
Use interdental brushes
By making interdental brushes part of your tooth-brushing regime, you’re more likely to be able to remove food debris. This reduces the risk of a painful infection, and can also minimise the risk of staining around the brackets.
Invest in some dental floss
There’ll be times when even the tiniest interdental brush can’t get in space. That’s where dental floss comes in. It essentially works like a needle and thread and is a lifesaver when it comes to accessing hard-to-reach areas of the mouth.
Visit your orthodontist regularly
While going to the orthodontist regularly may seem like a bit of a pain, it’s for good reason. Make sure you go to your orthodontist on schedule, and in the long run you’ll get through treatment faster.
Still go to your regular dental appointments
If you’re going to the orthodontist regularly, it can be easy to forget that you need to see your usual dentist too. We recommend seeing your dentist every six months, but this may be more or less, depending on what your dentist recommends for you.
Drink lots of water
When you have a dry mouth, it can become a harbouring ground for bacteria. Keep your mouth moist and healthy by drinking lots of water. And don’t forget, sugary drinks can also breed bacteria, so try to avoid these where possible.
Avoid sweets and sticky foods
Sweets and sticky foods are well known for causing trouble with braces. Not only do they cause mechanical faults with your braces, but they can stick around the mechanisms and wreak havoc. By avoiding sweets and sticky foods, you can be safe in the knowledge you’re doing all you can to keep your braces working effectively.
Book a hygiene service
When your braces are off, you may notice some discolouration or irritated areas. At Marsh House Orthodontics, we always recommend having a hygiene service after treatment. This will allow any bacteria that have been harbouring in your mouth to be cleaned out, and for the thorough cleaning of any areas that have been tricky to reach throughout treatment. A hygiene service doesn’t cost a huge amount, but it can make a massive difference to your oral health.
So now you know how to have good oral hygiene with braces, it’s time to get together your orthodontic toolkit and think about when to have your hygiene service! To speak to us about all things orthodontic, or to book an appointment at our orthodontic practice in Mitcham, please call 020 8646 6200.