Brushing & Flossing Warren & Southgate MI
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is essential, especially when you have orthodontic appliances such as braces. Proper brushing and flossing are key to preserving dental health during orthodontic treatment.
At All About Orthodontics, we understand the significance of dental hygiene with braces, and our team of experts, led by Dr. Raphael R. Putrus is here to provide you with guidance and support for a healthy smile throughout your orthodontic journey.
Brushing & Flossing
Brushing and flossing are foundational components of maintaining good oral hygiene, and they become even more crucial when you have orthodontic appliances like braces. Proper dental care during orthodontic treatment ensures your smile remains healthy and beautiful.
Importance of Oral Hygiene during Orthodontic Treatment
It is of critical importance for many reasons to maintain excellent oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment:
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Preventing Tooth Decay: Orthodontic appliances, such as braces, create additional spaces where food particles and plaque can accumulate. Inadequate cleaning can lead to tooth decay and cavities. Proper brushing and flossing are essential to remove these accumulations and maintain the health of your teeth.
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Preserving Gum Health: Effective oral hygiene reduces the risk of gum inflammation and gingivitis, which can occur when plaque accumulates along the gum line. Healthy gums are essential for the success of orthodontic treatment and the overall well-being of your mouth.
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Avoiding White Spots: White spots on teeth are early signs of enamel demineralization, which can occur when teeth are not adequately cleaned during orthodontic treatment. Consistent and thorough oral care helps prevent the formation of these unsightly white spots.
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Supporting Orthodontic Progress: Maintaining a clean and healthy mouth is crucial for the success of your orthodontic treatment. Dental problems, if left untreated, can delay the progress of your treatment plan. Regular dental visits allow our orthodontist to make necessary appliance adjustments and ensure your treatment stays on track.
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Enhancing Aesthetics: Proper oral hygiene contributes to the aesthetics of your smile. A bright and healthy smile can boost your confidence, which is especially important during orthodontic treatment.
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Long-Term Oral Health: The habits you develop during orthodontic treatment can impact oral health. Maintaining excellent oral hygiene now sets the stage for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. |
Choosing the Right Toothbrush and Floss
Selecting the appropriate toothbrush and dental floss is critical to maintaining excellent oral hygiene, especially during orthodontic treatment. There are several important factors to consider when choosing these essential tools for your dental care routine: | • |
Bristle Type: Opt for a toothbrush with soft bristles. Soft bristles are gentle on your teeth and gums, reducing the risk of causing damage or irritation. Hard or medium bristles, especially with orthodontic appliances like braces, can be too abrasive.
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Size and Shape: Choose a toothbrush with a small head. A smaller head allows for better access to hard-to-reach areas, particularly when you have braces or other orthodontic devices. Consider a toothbrush with a flexible neck to navigate around brackets and wires.
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Electric vs. Manual: Electric toothbrushes can be highly effective at removing plaque and are often recommended by orthodontists. They may have features like timers to ensure you brush for the recommended two minutes. Manual toothbrushes are also suitable, but they require more manual dexterity to achieve the same level of cleaning. |
As for using dental floss with your braces, here is what you need to consider:
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Floss Type: When you have orthodontic appliances like braces, consider using waxed dental floss or floss specifically designed for braces. These options are less likely to shred or get stuck between brackets and wires.
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Regular vs. Superfloss: Superfloss is a dental floss specially designed for braces and bridges. It has a stiff end to thread underwires, a spongy middle section for cleaning between teeth, and regular floss for the final cleaning. |
Proper Brushing Techniques
Here's the best brushing technique: | • |
Use a Soft Bristle Toothbrush
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Brush After Every Meal
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Be Thorough
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Use a Toothbrush with a Small Head and Flexible Neck
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Choose The Right Toothbrush for You - Electric vs. Manual
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Brush for Two Minutes Each Session
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Be Sure to Get Regular Dental Check-ups |
Step-by-step Guide to Brushing with Orthodontics
This step-by-step guide to brushing with orthodontics will help you maintain your oral hygiene:
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Start with Brackets and Wires: Begin by brushing the outer surfaces of your braces. Angle the toothbrush so the bristles reach each bracket's top and bottom. Brush gently but thoroughly.
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Clean Between Brackets: Pay attention to hard-to-reach areas.
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Brush the Inner Surfaces: Brush gently to remove plaque and food particles.
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Don't Forget Your Tongue: Brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.
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Floss Between Teeth: Be gentle to avoid damaging the braces or dislodging wires.
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Rinse and Check |
Types of Floss for Orthodontic Patients
There are various types of floss specially designed for patients with braces to make the flossing process more manageable and effective:
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A waxed dental floss is a standard option suitable for orthodontic patients. It has a wax coating that makes it less likely to shred or get caught on braces and wires.
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Unwaxed dental floss is another option, although it may not be ideal for orthodontic patients. It has no wax coating, making it more likely to get stuck or frayed around brackets and wires.
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Orthodontic Floss Threaders: Floss threaders are small, flexible devices designed to help guide dental floss beneath wires and between teeth.
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Interdental brushes, often called proxy brushes or interproximal brushes, have small bristle heads designed to clean between teeth and around orthodontic brackets.
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Superfloss is a specialized dental floss designed explicitly for individuals with braces or bridges.
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Water flossers, or oral irrigators, use water to clean between teeth and around orthodontic appliances. |
Step-by-step Guide to Flossing with Orthodontics
Here's a step-by-step guide to effective flossing with orthodontics: | • |
Choose your floss
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Thread the floss
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Floss between teeth
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Repeat for each tooth
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Rinse and check |
Maintaining Braces and Orthodontics
Here, we explore the key aspects of maintaining braces and orthodontics:
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Maintaining oral hygiene - be sure to brush and floss daily as instructed.
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Dietary considerations - avoid sticky items such as candy as well as foods you bite into - corn on the cob and apples
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Orthodontic wax - This can be used if you have a loose wire that is poking your gums.
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Regular orthodontic check-ups - Be sure to schedule and attend your regular appointments.
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Orthodontic rubber bands - These may be placed to help align your jaw. If prescribed, be sure to wear them as instructed.
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Mouth guard for sports and activities - Sports mouth guards can be worn over braces to help protect your teeth and orthodontic appliance during treatment.
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Avoid Certain Habits - Avoid any bad habits that could damage your braces or prolong treatment. Regular brushing and flossing are crucial.
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Be consistent with your oral care during treatment. |
Schedule With Your Orthodontist in Warren & Southgate,MI Today!
At All About Orthodontics, we are committed to ensuring that everyone can enjoy a healthy set of teeth and a pain-free smile. Maintaining a proper brushing and flossing routine plays a pivotal role in achieving and preserving dental health. To learn more about our dental services or to schedule a consultation, please don't hesitate to contact us today at 586-999-8818. Your journey to a healthier and more confident smile begins here. |
