Many of us wish we had straight white teeth to show off, and some people pursue braces to make that wish a reality. Once you have dental braces, it can feel like your journey towards a perfect smile is almost at an end. Why worry about the state of your teeth once you have gotten braces? Unfortunately, braces are only part of the process.
It is important that you continue brushing and maintaining the care of your teeth while you have braces. Oral hygiene is necessary regardless of whether or not you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment, but not brushing your teeth with braces could be even more harmful. Wondering what could happen to your mouth if you let your dental hygiene slip? Your braces will trap food particles, allowing plaque and bacteria to build up on your teeth. This could lead to enamel decalcification, stains, pain, cavities, and possibly necessary fillings. Here are our tips for avoiding dental issues caused by not brushing properly with braces.
How to brush with traditional braces
It may seem like brushing with braces should not make a difference, but traditional braces make your teeth more difficult to clean. Once you get braces you may need to learn new ways to brush your teeth that are more effective for keeping your teeth clean without damaging your braces. Rinsing your mouth with water before brushing will help loosen food particles and increase the ease of brushing. This will help keep you from using too much force and potentially damaging your teeth and braces.
Additionally, it is recommended that you brush your teeth 3 times per day and floss at least once. Some people are a bit confused by flossing with braces because of the wires in the way. However, flossing is still a necessary part of your dental hygiene routine. Using a floss threader can help you get the floss beneath the main wire, allowing you to floss even with traditional braces. Brushing and flossing regularly will help keep your teeth and braces free of debris and bacteria.
Brushing with invisible braces
For some people, the prospect of having to change their dental hygiene routine is unappealing. They may have heard braces horror stories from friends and family and are not sure whether traditional braces are right for them. Fortunately, there are alternatives.
Invisalign braces are a more comfortable, more convenient orthodontic treatment method. Instead of metal wiring, Invisalign uses a set of clear trays to align your teeth over time. These aligners are not worn while brushing or flossing, making your dental care routine straightforward and simple. Brushing with Invisalign is basically just like brushing without Invisalign. No matter what your preference, there is a style of braces to accommodate you.