Don’t Forget To Brush! A Friendly Reminder On Good Oral Hygiene in Brooklyn

The most important thing to do in maintaining a winning smile before, during, and after your orthodontic journey is of course, the practice of good oral hygiene. As your teeth begin to change, new avenues and crevices for food particles and bacteria are being created, so it becomes that much more important to be mindful of keeping your teeth and gums as clean as possible. What is the benefit of a straight smile if it is not an equally healthy one as well? While it becomes a little more time consuming, and the technique is slightly different, it is very important to brush and floss your teeth with braces and ensure that your new smile has every advantage at staying picture perfect.

Whether you have any orthodontic treatment provided by Brooklyn Orthodontics – be it braces, Invisalign, or a retainer – it is important to understand how to care for each and keep them clean. With braces, you should brush your teeth at least three times a day, and also after indulging in any sticky or sweet foods that may adhere to the surface of them. Be sure to use small circular motions, angling downward toward the wires of your braces. While they are not affected directly by brackets or wires, the chewing surfaces of your teeth are most prone to decay and require the most attention when brushing. It is extremely important to floss behind the wires and move down between the teeth to the gum line.

If you have Invisalign, be sure to remove the aligner to brush your teeth and floss three times a day, as the aligner itself can trap food particles and bacteria. Take advantage of the ability to remove the aligner and take it out after every meal to brush and floss and prevent decay.

If you have a retainer, it is important to clean it every time you remove it. Soak it in one of our recommended cleaning solutions at least once a day. Just like with braces or Invisalign, food and bacteria will adhere to the surface of your retainer and get trapped onto the surface of your teeth. However, aside from brushing, it is important to keep your retainer in as long as possible until the doctor instructs you to do otherwise.

In between appointments with Dr. Mohamed AlJanabi, it is vital to maintain good oral hygiene in Brooklyn. The responsibility of caring for your smile is yours! To recap, brushing your teeth at least three times a day, flossing daily, and also rinsing your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash or Waterpik, is imperative to ensure dental health. Taking into consideration the different appliances that you may be using, whether it is standard braces, which require special attention, especially flossing, Invisalign, or a post aligning retainer, use the different techniques explained earlier to care for them and for your smile to ensure you are getting the most out of your orthodontic procedures.

If you have any questions, Dr. AlJanabi and our knowledgeable staff are here to help! Contact us online or at (718) 333-5898 today.