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woman with braces in Boca Raton smiles

Best Ways to Clean Braces

August 16, 2022

Have you recently tried taking advantage of braces in Boca Raton? There is no way to avoid the truth that cleaning your teeth with braces requires more effort than it does without them. While restricting simple access to certain areas of your mouth, braces add gaps that can trap food particles.  

The importance of maintaining dental health while wearing braces cannot be overstated. Tooth decay and swollen gums won’t take a break. Dental experts advise that you brush your teeth at least two times each day. Brushing your teeth again after eating if you munch throughout the day is advisable.  

While brushing your teeth while wearing braces is more challenging and complex, it’s hardly the most difficult challenge you’ll ever face, and your neighborhood drugstore will have all the supplies you need to do it properly.  

set of brackets of braces in Boca Raton

Where to Begin  

Start by Scrubbing Your Teeth’s Outer Surface  

Your braces are most likely attached to this side of your teeth, which is also the side that people see when you smile. Plaque won’t necessarily cause the most significant harm here, but it will be the most obvious, especially on the braces.   

Start by brushing the area beneath the braces to get rid of any food or plaque that may be there. Next, brush above the brackets, getting as much of the teeth as you can between them and beneath the wire. You can slant your brush when cleaning your teeth to clean the brackets effectively.    

Using a Gentle Toothbrush   

Brushing the top of your teeth between your braces and gums is crucial. Brush bristles should effectively make contact with the gums to clean the enamel thoroughly. To prevent aggravating them, choose a brush with softer bristles and aim it toward the gums.  

Use Just Enough Toothpaste  

The foam toothpaste it produces can make it harder to notice plaque and other dirt. Use a moist toothbrush first to clean in and around brackets and between wires. You can also use a focused, plucking action as opposed to scrubbing. Continue cleansing after adding a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.  

Use a Mouthwash  

Like using the correct type of toothbrush, it is also crucial to use mouthwash, especially when you have braces for the first time. The metal brackets and wires will feel foreign to your mouth, and they are more likely to accumulate food particles and plaque than other parts of your mouth. This could have an impact on how you breathe and how your overall dental health is.   

After brushing and flossing, using mouthwash is a fantastic approach to maintaining the health of your teeth and eliminating any germs that may still be hiding in your mouth. Additionally, it can aid in keeping foul breath from becoming a problem. Choose a fluoride-containing mouthwash, then use it according to the directions on the bottle.  

Brush Your Teeth After Every Meal  

Because brackets collect food particles, plaque can be avoided by brushing frequently. Hence, dentists always advise that bringing a portable toothbrush is a good idea. If none are available, then rinse for 30 seconds with water. Brushing your teeth after eating acidic food is an exception. After consuming meals like sports drinks and oranges, you should wait 30 to 60 minutes before cleaning your teeth because doing so will soften the tooth enamel due to friction.  

Get More Care Tips for Braces in Boca Raton   

When your braces are on, our dental experts at Oral Facial Reconstruction will give you advice. If a certain tool isn’t functioning for you, feel free to ask about any issues you may be experiencing. Call us