More and more people in 2023 are approaching their dental teams and orthodontic teams about having braces or aligners.
The reason is obvious; more people want to have straighter smiles, and, as such, some people will be suited for aligners, whereas those who have more complex cases will be better suited for braces. Whether they are clear or are the standard metal braces, these will require some careful maintenance to make sure that the teeth stay healthy and that you don’t develop gum disease.
So, if you have braces or are about to get braces fitted, what are some top tips to ensure that the process goes off without a hitch and that you get the gorgeous smile that you want at the end?
Get a water flosser
A water flosser, an oral irrigator or dental water jet, is a dental care device designed to supplement or replace traditional dental flossing. It uses a stream of pressurised water to remove small food particles, plaque, and debris from between teeth and along the gum line, allowing for a deeper and more thorough clean. A water flosser is particularly beneficial for people with braces, dental implants, or other dental work, as it can access areas that are challenging to clean with regular floss. It is generally considered to be gentle on the gums and can be a useful tool for improving overall oral hygiene.
For optimum hygiene, be sure to use your water flosser alongside regular floss to get under the gum line and into the gum pockets to remove plaque and debris.
If, of course, you aren’t sure how to use your water flosser to clean your braces, talk to your orthodontist Liverpool for tips.
Get an electric toothbrush
In 2023, if you are having braces, you simply have to invest in an electric toothbrush.
Rechargeable and easy to use, these brushes provide the optimum dental cleaning for your teeth, which you will need when you have a fitted brace.
Make sure to hold the brush at an angle when cleaning your teeth, as this will allow the brush to get under the wires of the brace and remove more plaque.
Much like a regular toothbrush, you need to replace the head of your electric toothbrush every 3 months.
Use a high fluoride toothpaste
When you wear a brace, the chances of cavities developing goes up.
Why? Well, because you have a device that has gaps fitted to your teeth, meaning that there are more places where debris can hide and cause cavities.
So, to prevent this, as well as brushing your teeth as much as you can and flossing, you should invest in high-fluoride toothpaste. If you are looking to buy a type of toothpaste for your child who is wearing braces, then please, discuss the appropriate types with their dentist.
For adults, though, toothpastes like Durpahat can be helpful and can be prescribed by a dentist or purchased over the counter.
This will help to prevent cavities and will also remineralise any minor cavities that occur in the mouth.
Attend professional cleanings
Professional cleanings when you have braces are routine dental cleanings performed by a dental hygienist or dentist, specifically tailored to address the unique challenges posed by braces. During these cleanings, the orthodontic appliances, brackets, and wires are thoroughly cleaned to remove plaque, tartar, and debris that can accumulate around them. Additionally, the hygienist or dentist will clean the surfaces of the teeth to ensure proper oral hygiene and prevent gum disease or cavities, which can, for obvious reasons, be really bad if you have braces! These cleanings are essential to maintain healthy teeth and gums while undergoing orthodontic treatment to ensure that once the braces are off, your smile looks great!
Get a mini dental examination kit
OK, so for this, you won’t be conducting fillings or crowns on yourself!
In this sense, it means you should be looking into getting a small, handheld mirror to check all of your teeth when you are wearing a brace, as well as some more specialised tools to remove plaque.
Remember that when you wear braces, the food you eat is more likely to become trapped between the wire of the braces and the tooth, which can be tricky to remove with floss. So, investing in a kit that can allow you to remove minor areas of plaque, as well as keep your brackets clean, is ideal to keep your braces well maintained and hygienic.
Good luck, and before you know it, your teeth will be straight and will be gleaming!
