Braces are the way to a straighter smile, but along the way it's important to keep your smile clean and healthy. We understand that all of those brackets and wires require a bit more work to keep your teeth clean when you’re wearing braces. Nobody wants a mouthful of cavities when the braces come off. If you'll follow these tips, you can still have clean and healthy teeth while your teeth are being straightened.

Expand Your Dental Cleaning Tools

It doesn't take long to realize that flossing around braces hardware is challenging when you are using traditional dental floss. We recommend that you pick up some floss threaders. They will make it easier to floss in between your teeth and around your gum line. Soft floss picks are also a helpful tool for removing food particles stuck between teeth. Another great tool to keep your mouth clean is a water flosser.

Clean Your Mouth After Meals

Food and debris get hung up in braces when you eat. There's no avoiding it unless you move to a liquid diet, which we don't recommend. It's a good idea to get in the habit of brushing your teeth after every meal. Keep a portable toothbrush and toothpaste in a carry case when you are out and about. If you can't brush your teeth, at the very least swish and rinse your mouth with water. This will flush out some of the food particles that get stuck in your braces. It will also help you avoid bad breath.

Visit your Orthodontist & Dentist Regularly

It's important to keep up with your regular appointments at the orthodontist to get your braces tightened and adjusted. But it's also important to visit the dentist for hygiene appointments. It's still possible to get a professional dental cleaning while you are wearing braces. Hygienists know how to work around all of the hardware and a dental professional will be able to see if there are any other dental health concerns that need to be addressed before they become a problem.

Straight & Healthy Smiles in Littleton, CO

Summit Family Orthodontics can help you or your child with more tips for maintaining good oral hygiene while wearing braces. Dr. Mian and the team are here to make your time in braces as smooth and successful as possible. You can always ask us questions at your appointment, but if something pops up in between, don't hesitate to contact us. And if you are yet to start your journey to straight teeth, check out the many options we offer. Schedule an appointment by clicking the contact link or calling us directly.

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