Dental hygiene is crucial whether you have braces or not. However, it can become more vital to maintain dental hygiene when you have braces or aligners. Orthodontic appliances need exceptional hygiene. It would help if you practiced dental hygiene to increase the longevity of your orthodontic appliances, such as braces.
Also, maintaining dental hygiene allows you to observe enhanced bite function with braces. It will help if you understand some tips to maintain good oral hygiene while wearing braces by contacting a local orthodontist. Apart from getting a dentist, you should know some tips for dental hygiene maintenance, as mentioned below.
Tips for maintaining prime oral hygiene while wearing braces or aligners:
- Practice brushing a flossing
Brushing and flossing are the most common strategies to maintain prime dental hygiene. Once you have finished eating, it will be essential for you to brush and floss your teeth. Once you have finished brushing and flossing, you should clean your orthodontic appliances. It will be most helpful to use fluoride-based toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Pay attention to flossing.
Using an interdental toothbrush to remove food particles between your teeth would be best. Additionally, you should take about 15 to 30 cm of floss on your index finger and thread it between the wire of an orthodontic appliance and the teeth.
- Try to use an antimicrobial mouth rinse
Most people avoid using a mouth rinse. It is primarily because people think it is unnecessary to use mouthwash. However, it will be ideal for you to use an antimicrobial mouth rinse. A mouth rinse can remove food particles and toxic substances between the teeth. Also, it would be best to try using a tongue scraper to eliminate harmful bacteria.
- Eat safe foods
While food restrictions can be tiring and challenging, you must practice a diet that only consists of safe foods. For instance, safe foods may contain soft fruits, cooked vegetables, lean meats, yogurt, etc. It will be helpful for you to adjust your eating habits. Some foods, such as sugary items, can cause significant damage to your teeth and braces.
- Practice eating small bites.
Apart from paying attention to eating habits, it would help if you practiced eating small bites to preserve and maintain dental hygiene with your braces and aligners. For instance, try to eat manageable bites.
You can use a fork or spoon while making smaller bites or cut your fruits into slices before eating them. Such practices will help you increase the longevity and durability of your braces. It will also decrease the chances of breaking your braces or increasing pain.
