How To Clean Your Braces

Orthodontic treatment is considered to put the patient at a higher risk of tooth decay, and the numbers confirm it; orthodontic patients are some 60% more likely to have some form of tooth decay than patients without braces. Why is this?

 

 

Surely the increased surface area in the mouth has something to do with it, as now bacteria have more places to breed, and more nooks and crannies to get stuck in and build up the plaque in which they live. But this doesn’t mean that you are doomed to tooth decay as a necessary side effect of orthodontic treatment; by cleaning your appliance and taking extra care with your at home oral care, you will not have any more cavities at all. Here are 5 awesome tips to help you fight tooth decay while in braces.

 

1) Interdental tooth brush

The first thing you will notice if you have fixed orthodontic braces is that it is impossible to floss. This is one of the main reasons why rates of tooth decay sky rocket; no way of getting out food from between teeth. But there is a way. Instead of dental floss, buy an interdental toothbrush, and clean both the appliance and your teeth with it. This will remove all of the junk that floss usually does, and is quite comfortable, too.

 

2) Increased care

Now that you have braces, you will NEED to brush at least 3 times a day, and you will NEED to rinse out your mouth with water after every meal, with a possible brush after every meal, and a bit of mouthwash just to be sure. Using mouthwash is not absolutely mandatory, even if your breath smells fine; the liquid cleaning agent can get everywhere, and kill germs.

 

3) Increased fluoride

Sometimes brackets can leach out the calcium and magnesium that si in tooth enamel. This causes damage, and can result in splotchy, weakened teeth prone to tooth decay. To prevent this, get more fluoride into your body. You can buy ointments, gels and foams made of the substance, simply put these on your surfaces and let them get absorbed. Eating more dairy, like yoghurt and cheese and milk will also result in higher levels of both calcium and fluoride. Buying a fluoridated mouthwash is also a good idea.

 

4) Stay off the sticky stuff

When you get your braces, you will also get a list of what to eat and what not to eat. Make sure you do not eat the things that are mentioned, no sticky stuff, no toffee, no caramels or any other kind of sticky, sugary stuff. These will cause tooth decay and are a nightmare to remove from braces.

 

5) Wax

Using orthodontic wax will help you to dull the pointy edges of orthodontic appliances. These appliances can otherwise cause abrasions and cuts on your soft tissues, like your gums, your cheeks or lips, and this can cause bacterial infections and inflammations that can spread and linger. If you use wax to dull the edges, no such hiding places will open for bacteria, making the process safer and cleaner.   

 

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