When you are on the path to getting your dream smile, neglecting oral hygiene with braces shouldn't be an option. 

Many people don't pay much heed to it, but cleaning your teeth with braces requires a little extra care. 

With subpar oral hygiene practices, plaque can accumulate on the teeth. That can turn your teeth yellow and cause bad breath, making any individual self-conscious.

Additionally, dental plaque gives rise to disorders like decalcification and gingivitis, among others.

With consistent oral hygiene with braces, anyone can prevent the detrimental aftermath. 

This article has super-easy tips to maintain good oral hygiene by the Bridgeport dentist.

Tips For Oral Hygiene with Braces by Our Bridgeport Dentist

It may take a little time for people to get used to dental braces. Once it becomes normal, you need to follow these tips to get the most out of the orthodontic treatment:

1.Regular Brushing 

You can control how your smile looks with braces by making no excuses for regular brushing.

There are a few oral hygiene with braces instructions by Bridgeport dentist to brush your teeth. 

You can't go wrong with a traditional toothbrush to clean teeth whether you have applied braces or not. 

If you want to maintain oral hygiene with braces, brush your teeth at least three times a day to prevent cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease

Small food and bacteria love to hide in and between your brackets and wires. 

So, if your teeth look clean in the mirror, there can be some residual food particles sitting in the concealed spaces of the teeth.

Correct Brushing Method for Braces 

• Proceed by softly brushing along the gum line in circular motions while angling the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle.

• Next, adjust the toothbrush's angle so that you may gently brush your brackets' tops. 

• Continue these motions 15 to 20 times till you clean each tooth.

• After that, adjust the toothbrush's angle so you can brush beneath the brackets and wire. 

• For the best oral hygiene with braces, make sure to brush every tooth.

Washing your teeth once more after any snack or beverage other than water between meals is preferable.

Can't decide which toothbrush is suitable for you? Here is our blog on How to Choose the Right Toothbrush for You.

2.Pin Your Hopes on the Safe Types of Toothpastes 

For oral hygiene with braces, your normal toothpaste can be damaging, so you need to watch out while using the typical toothpaste tubes.

Hence, search for the right toothpaste while you wear braces to keep your teeth and the appliance clean and in good condition. 

These are the three unharmful toothpaste recommended by Bridgeport dentist:

• Non-whitening toothpaste

• Mild Fluoride toothpaste

• Low-Abrasive toothpaste

Non-Whitening Toothpaste

Strong chemicals in whitening toothpaste have the potential to wear down the enamel on the tooth enamel and the brace's surface. 

Select a non-whitening toothpaste that is gentle on your teeth and braces to prevent this. 

For toothpaste that takes care of oral hygiene for braces, look for products with labels like non-whitening or gentle.

Mild Fluoride Toothpaste 

Fluoride is an essential ingredient of toothpaste that aids in guarding against cavities and tooth decay. 

However, fluorosis, a condition caused by too much fluoride, can result in white patches on your teeth. 

For oral hygiene with braces, pick a toothpaste with a modest fluoride level when you go grocery shopping. 

The American Dental Association (ADA) advises using toothpaste with a fluoride content of 1000 to 1500 parts per million (ppm).

The ADA, the biggest and most influential professional dental organization, will ensure your toothpaste is up to par and guarantee the best oral hygiene for braces.

Low-Abrasive Toothpaste

Toothpaste with too much abrasiveness might scratch the surface of your braces and harm them. 

Your toothpaste must have low abrasiveness to maintain your braces and keep them looking their best. 

The Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) score of a toothpaste should be 250 or less, according to the American Dental Association (ADA).

A good approach to determine whether toothpaste can help you and your braces is to seek the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) seal. 

3.Put Flossing Into Your Routine

Without a doubt, wearing braces can make flossing a little demanding.

Many people use this justification to avoid doing it at all. 

However, flossing is necessary to get rid of plaque buildup that a toothbrush can't possibly reach.

The Bridgeport dentist recommends patients use a floss threader or orthodontic flosser to do this strenuous task. You can find them at a majority of drug stores.

It will also be a little simpler if you use wax floss. It is easier to slide between your teeth, which reduces the likelihood that it may become caught in your braces.

To freshen up your breath with oral hygiene for braces, use dental floss at least once daily.

Also, don't be harsh with your gums if you are running late to run a chore. Being too harsh might cause infections and gum irritation.

4.Swish Mouthwash Around 

After brushing, reach for an antibacterial mouthwash. By swishing it around your mouth, gingivitis-causing biofilm and irritation will be lessened. 

It should be the third important step of the teeth cleaning regimen.

People think that mouthwash warps or alters the colour of the braces. 

Braces are constructed with top-quality stainless steel, which can't erode with mouthwash.

You can use an alcohol-free mouthwash that contains fluoride. It won't dry your mouth while taking care of your oral hygiene with braces.

5.Rinsing Your Mouth Out

Rinsing becomes a step you shouldn't skim over when caring for oral hygiene with braces. 

That is because it makes cleaning uncomplicated. Additionally, it might shield your tooth enamel and fend off gingivitis.

Before brushing, give your mouth a short rinse with water to release any food particles stuck in your braces.

To let your toothpaste with fluoride work at its best ability, don't over-rinse your mouth with water.

6.Resist Teeth-Damaging Food Items 

Some food items are tough on teeth and wreak havoc on your mouth in different ways.

The food that can ruin your oral hygiene for braces can be divided into three classes:

• High Acid foods: Tomatoes, candies, pineapples, soft drinks, etc.

• Crunchy Foods: Chips, apples, carrots, ice cubes, etc.

• Sticky Foods: Caramel, dried fruits, gums, etc.

Plaque will accumulate around your metal brackets if you don't resist the temptation of eating foods high in sugar and carbohydrates. 

These foods contribute to bad oral hygiene with braces and cause gum disease, tooth stains, and cavities.

The braces themselves are in danger of harm from tough, crunchy foods. The brackets and wires could break if you bite into any of the hard food items.

Likewise, sticky foods can also drag metal brackets out of position.

Take a glance over 10 Surprising Foods That Can Damage Your Teeth to be careful of what you eat.

7.Stay on Top of Oral Hygiene with Frequent Dental Checkups 

The last thing to do for oral hygiene with braces is never to miss your dental checkups. 

Only a Bridgeport dentist can spot a hidden gum disease due to poor oral hygiene with braces.

Professional dental cleaning handles small and large cavities, white spots on teeth, and several gum issues. 

If you are avoiding it because it would be a time drainer, don't worry; it only requires 30-60 minutes of your day.

FAQs 

How to maintain oral hygiene with braces?

Keeping the teeth and gums clean before going to bed, after waking up, and between meals helps maintain good oral hygiene with braces.

Which is the best toothbrush for braces?

A toothbrush with soft bristles and a small or more narrow brush head. The best toothbrush for braces should have an ergonomic handle for optimal manoeuvrability in all the mouth crevices.  

What is an easy way to avoid braces stains?

Proper teeth cleaning and braces care can prevent staining.

Is mouthwash for braces harmful?

No, mouthwash does not damage dental braces. In fact, it reduces the likelihood of bacterial growth.

In Conclusion

That is all you need to do for good oral hygiene with braces. To have strong teeth that serve you for a lifetime, add these tips to your daily routine. 

Whether you are new to braces or it has been a while since you have applied them, the Bridgeport dentist can assist you in maintaining oral hygiene.

At KWC Dental, our mission is to teach you how to care for braces and maintain healthy teeth while the braces do their job.

We want our patients to have a beautiful, healthy smile they show off for the rest of their lives.