How should I clean my teeth
with braces?

by Teeth Brusher
(England)

How should i clean my teeth with braces?
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Hanjing Replies:
That's a very good question that is close to my heart because I'm currently wearing braces, too!

Dr. Sharma, Orthodontist says, "When you have braces it’s very important to brush your teeth after every meal. Why? Because wearing braces can give food particles and bacteria extra spaces to hide and thrive."

I use a five step process that many people may find intensive, but I've grown used to it. And you will, too.

The 5-Step Process to Keeping Braces Clean and Teeth Cavity Free

The reason I have 5-steps is because braces are a big investment. And I don't want little critters leaving behind cavities, or worse, discoloration to ruin the nearly two year commitment I'm putting in to improve my smile and realign my bite so I can keep my natural teeth into my ripe old age.

I don't go through each step everyday, especially step #5. And some steps I do more than once a day, like steps #2 and #3.


Step #1: The Waterpik - The perfect way to flush out the deep corners and crevasses found on braces

The waterpik is the best way I've found to sweep away food particles and other debris hiding deeply and clinging for dear life to your braces. You can control the water pressure shooting out your pick and you can aim it squarely on the secret hiding places only you and the bacteria know about.

A fun experiment you can try is brushing your teeth first, then swishing and rinsing your mouth ferociously until nothing falls out, AND THEN use the waterpik… you'll be shocked by how more gunk spills out of your mouth. Yuk.

Use a waterpik. This is the brand I use.


Step #2: Flossing - How do you get around all those pointy wires?

This is really mission impossible without the right tools.

According to my husband, he says these tools weren't invented when he wore braces as a teen. I think it's just his excuse why he didn't floss back then. Tsk, tsk, tsk…

On the other hand, I religiously floss after each meal whether at home or on the road. (That's the difference between getting braces as a kid and your parents pay for it, and when you get braces as an adult and you give up your monthly paycheck to get it done.)

There are two kinds of tools you can use.

The first is like like threading a needle. The thread being the dental floss.

The second has a flat profile so it slips past your braces and allows you to floss between your teeth.

I prefer the needle-thread tool because I feel it wastes less material.

But, I carry a baggy with a few flat profile flossers in my purse so I can floss after a meal when I'm away from home or the lab.


Step #3: Brushing - It's easier than you think…

Luckily, you can use a normal soft bristle brush with your braces. On the road I carry disposable brushes that let me slip into the lady's room and sweep away any embarrassing food gunk from my braces and smile.

The disposable option is not designed to give you a proper brushing, though. It's temporary maintenance to remove big, obvious, and embarrassing food particles out of plain sight!

So when at home we are true believers of the mechanical tooth brush. My kids haven't had a cavity in years, and neither have I or my husband. After each meal I brush with this and do a proper job.


Step #4: Mouth Rinse - Soak in protection the easy way --

After I've cleaned away all the detritus-nasties, I like to seal in the goodness with a fluoride, non-alcohol mouth rinse.

By the way, if you suffer from tooth sensitivity you may want to rinse with a fluoride mouth rinse. My husband notices that his teeth are not sensitive to cold foods like ice-cream, like he used to be.

We use the #1 Dentist Recommended Act.


Step #5: Regular Check-Ups - Your dentist and orthodontist working together…

Get regular check-ups with your dentist. Enough said.

Find a Dentist Here

In addition to keeping your orthodontics appointments go see your dentist. We go about every six months. The good news is that when you keep your teeth and gums healthy, seeing the dentist is affordable and pleasant.

So I hope my 5-step Braces Cleaning Process helps keep your investment in tip-top shape!

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