Taking proper care of your teeth and gums during orthodontic treatment is absolutely vital to avoid problems such as decay and gum disease.
Firstly, brush for 3-5 minutes using a normal toothbrush, making sure you brush above and below your brace to clean not only your teeth but also your gum lines. Then use an interspace/interdental brush to clean the other areas missed i.e. in between the wires and brackets. After brushing and before going to bed use a fluoride mouthwash to help protect your teeth. We can supply a special orthodontic brush to help with cleaning. Disclosing tablets can also help to identify the areas that you may miss during cleaning.
After every meal, you need to clean your teeth carefully using a fluoride toothpaste. In order to do this make sure you take a toothbrush to school or work.
Wearing braces can make it more difficult to thoroughly clean your teeth and gums, so using an electric toothbrush such as a ‘Sonicare’ can give you better results.
If you do not keep your brace clean enough, the wires will have to be removed to help cleaning, and we may even have to stop treatment to avoid further damage to your teeth and gums. It is extremely important to keep seeing your own dentist for regular check ups.
