Wearing braces can give you a great smile, but they also make cleaning your teeth harder. Food and plaque can accumulate between wires and brackets. If you don’t brush them well, you could develop cavities, gum issues, or discoloration of your teeth, which can slow down your treatment or, worse, destroy your teeth.
It’s easy to get frustrated or anxious. But if you are careful and adopt good habits, you can maintain healthy teeth with braces that will be able to function properly.
Check this blog to see how to maintain oral hygiene if you just got braces near you.
Why Is It More Difficult to Clean Teeth with Braces?
Braces have a lot of parts where food and gum can hide. The wires and brackets block normal brushing or flossing, which can cause plaque buildup.
If you don’t clean properly, it can cause white spots, sore gums or cavities, which makes room for following a good braces-friendly oral routine to keep your mouth healthy while you wear braces.
How Should You Brush with Braces?
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or an electric toothbrush.
- Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against your gums.
- Brush carefully around each wire and each bracket with small circles.
- Brush after every meal to stop plaque from building up.
Brushing your teeth also involves brushing your tongue and the roof of your mouth to minimize bacteria. Do not forget to replace your old toothbrush after every six months if the bristles are worn out, doing this will help you brush effectively.
Following these brushing techniques with braces on can help you maintain healthy oral health.
How Do You Floss With Braces?
Flossing while wearing braces can be tricky, but it’s important. Your regular floss usually won’t work, so try using floss threaders or floss picks designed for braces. Thread the floss behind the wires and clean gently between your teeth.
This helps stop gum problems and cavities between teeth. You might find it helpful to floss before brushing to remove trapped food first.
How Do You Clean Around Brackets?
Cleaning around orthodontic brackets needs extra care. Use interdental brushes to clean small spaces that a regular toothbrush can’t reach.
These little brushes help remove food and plaque near your braces. Also, mouth rinses with fluoride or antiseptic can help keep your gums healthy and fight germs.
It’s important to check your braces daily for any loose brackets or wires. If you notice anything unusual, contact your orthodontist or dentist in Windsor right away.
Keeping your braces in good condition is part of good plaque control for braces and keeps your treatment on track.
What Mouth Rinses Should You Use?
Mouth rinses don’t replace brushing and flossing, but they help a lot. Fluoride rinses make your teeth stronger and fight decay. Antiseptic rinses kill bacteria that can cause gum problems.
Ask a dentist in Windsor about mouth rinse recommendations that can suit your needs. Avoid rinses with alcohol if your mouth feels sensitive or dry.
What Foods Should You Eat or Avoid with Braces?
- Avoid sticky foods like caramel and chewing gum.
- Don’t eat hard foods like popcorn and hard candies.
- Stay away from too much sugary snacks.
- Eat soft fruits like bananas and berries.
- Choose dairy like yogurt and cheese.
- Cook your veggies so they’re soft and easy to chew.
Eating crunchy or tough foods can bend or break your braces, causing delays and extra visits.
Planning your food choices with braces seems to be a daunting task, but can help you protect your braces and keep your orthodontic treatment moving smoothly by
Braces Care Checklist
| Step | What to Do | Why It Matters |
| 1 | Brush teeth well after eating | Removes food and plaque |
| 2 | Floss daily with special floss tools | Cleans between teeth and under wires |
| 3 | Use interdental brushes | Cleans hard-to-reach spots |
| 4 | Rinse with fluoride or antiseptic rinse | Helps keep gums healthy and fights germs |
| 5 | Avoid sticky, hard, and sugary foods | Protects braces and teeth |
| 6 | Visit a dentist in Windsor regularly | Gets professional cleaning and checkups |
| 7 | Check braces for any damage | Fixes problems before they get worse |
What Are Orthodontic Hygiene Tools?
Orthodontic hygiene tools include things like using interdental brushes and floss threaders. They are made to clean areas that normal brushes and floss can’t reach because of braces. Adding these tools to your daily routine helps keep your teeth and gums healthy while wearing braces.
Besides these, some patients find water flossers helpful. These devices use a small jet of water to clean around brackets and between teeth, making it easier to maintain oral hygiene with braces.
However, water flossers should be used along with, not instead of, regular brushing and flossing.
Wrapping Up!
If you don’t take care of your teeth with braces, you can get painful cavities and gum problems that can make your treatment take longer. Every day counts. Take care of your smile now.
Simple Habits, Lasting Smiles
For help with your braces care, book a visit with Odonto Dental. Our team is ready to support you with the right advice and care to keep your smile healthy and your braces working well.
Don’t wait — start your braces care today!