Congratulations! You’ve decided to take the leap and try braces to improve your smile. But brushing with braces hard? Here are some steps you need to take to help reduce the chance of cavities, banish bad breath, and ensure future oral health problems don’t pop up.
How do you do this? With daily brushing, of course. While it might seem complicated now that you have some cool new hardware, the truth is that the process isn’t that different from what you already do. Here’s what you need to know about brushing with braces.
Why Oral Care is Important When Wearing Braces
As you can probably guess, brushing and flossing daily is very important while wearing braces. Not only can food particles and plaque accumulate on your teeth, but they can also become trapped by the brackets and wires in your mouth.
If you’re not working to clean in those areas, then you’re leaving your oral health up to chance in the form of a greater risk for cavities, an increased chance of gum disease, and even something as simple as halitosis, which can seriously impact your social life.
Is Brushing with Braces Hard? What About Flossing?
The actual process itself really isn’t hard to do. In fact, brushing your teeth while wearing braces isn’t any more difficult than doing it without braces. Following these steps can help you remove plaque and keep your gums healthy.
Flossing can be a bit more challenging, as you now have more areas you have to get behind and reach. But, with a little patience and daily care, the routine becomes far easier over time.
How to Brush Your Teeth with Braces
Ready to start brushing with braces? We have a few steps you’ll want to try out for yourself.
Start by rinsing your toothbrush and adding a small amount of toothpaste. Then hold your toothbrush so that the bristles are at a 45-degree angle. Run the bristles over the surface of your teeth on all sides. Make sure to get areas like between brackets and wires or towards the back of your mouth, too.
Just be sure to brush gently when you’re going over the actual wires and brackets. If you press too hard, there’s a good chance you could cause damage or pain—two things that earn you a trip immediately to our office.
It is also important to remember to brush your teeth long enough. The recommended amount of time—whether you have braces or not—is a minimum of two minutes. And, it doesn’t matter whether you use a regular soft-bristled toothbrush or have an electric one, as both work well. Repeat this process at least twice per day, but preferably after each meal and before bedtime.
Smile Experience Orthodontics Can Help
For more information on brushing with braces or help with creating a beautiful smile, contact us today to schedule an in-person or virtual consultation appointment.