One of the biggest challenges with orthodontic treatment is making sure you brush your teeth properly. With proper care, your orthodontic treatment will result in beautiful and healthy teeth. To guide you through your care, Dr. Mohamed AlJanabi offers these tips.
Use a soft toothbrush.
Do a preliminary brush with only water.
Braces are notorious for trapping food in the small nooks and crannies between the wires and brackets. Brushing with braces becomes even more complicated when you add foaming toothpaste to the mix. Instead, start the process with just water so you can ensure you brush every surface to remove plaque and food buildup from the teeth. After your preliminary brush, add a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to your brush and you’ll reap the rewards of the fluoride, breath fresheners, and abrasives in the toothpaste.
Switch up your brushing style.
Brushing the surface of the teeth is important to ensure your teeth are beautiful and cavity free at the end of your orthodontic treatment. Rather than brushing straight on, angle the brush at a 45-degree angle towards your gum in a circular motion. This will help break up any trapped debris. You can also use small inter-dental brushes allow you to easily clean between the brackets and under the archwire. As always, remember the chewing surfaces as well.
Use your time wisely.
Cleaning your teeth is just as important during your orthodontic treatment as it is any other time. Remember to brush your teeth for a full two minutes. You can divide the mouth into quadrants and brush each area for 30 seconds. Taking the extra time to thoroughly brush will protect your investment in your teeth and overall oral health. Devoting a little extra time to brushing each morning and evening will protect your teeth and promote healthy habits in the future.
Choose your favorite toothpaste.
Toothpastes love to promote their different features – extra whitening, advanced breath freshening, minty flavor, or organic ingredients. When it boils down to it, the best toothpaste is the one you like using. Whether you are tied to a brand, prefer a certain texture, or even just like their packaging, if it encourages you to brush your teeth then go for it. The most important ingredient – fluoride – is already found in most toothpaste so the choice is up to you.
Rinse in the morning but not in the evening.
After you brush your teeth, it’s normal practice to rinse the toothpaste away with water. Research has found that leaving a small film of fluoride on your teeth while you sleep helps protect the teeth overnight and offers a nice dose of fluoride.
Consider switching to electric.
Shopping for toothbrushes can be daunting, particularly with so many options. The next time you’re shopping, consider an electric toothbrush. The brush does a little bit extra work with features like rotating heads and vibration. Ultimately though, any brush works well if used properly.
