Looking for ways to keep your smile healthy with braces or aligners? We’re here to help!
When getting braces, there is always preparation and build-up to getting braces or aligners, that we often forget the care required afterward. Before, perfect oral hygiene was a simple process of brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash. Cleaning teeth with braces or aligners can be a challenging routine to tackle, which is why we are here to help. We have compiled several recommendations on cleaning teeth with braces or aligners that you can easily incorporate into your daily routine!
An Easy-to-Adopt Routine to Clean Your Teeth with Braces
Did you know that more cavities come from people with braces than from people without braces? This is why it is crucial to solidify a simple routine into your day to prioritize your oral hygiene. Braces and aligners help us straighten our teeth, so why not make sure we have straight and properly cleaned teeth?
- List out your teeth cleaning tools. When beginning a new routine, it can be daunting to remember what tools and supplies you need. Writing down a list and reviewing before you begin cleaning your teeth can help you remember what you need to do and what tool you should be using.
- Start by rinsing your mouth with water. Rinsing water before you begin brushing or flossing can remove particles from your mouth, making it easier to focus on cleaning your teeth.
- Be thorough. Cleaning your teeth with braces doesn’t need to be a lengthy process, but it should certainly be thorough. Take your time and ensure that you have thoroughly brushed every inch of your teeth. Experts agree that spending at least two minutes brushing is important. At first, if you have trouble reaching all corners of your mouth with your new braces, then you can use a Proxabrush after your regular brushing routine to help with those hard-to-reach spots.
- Always floss. Cavities aren’t just in our teeth, we can get them in between our teeth as well! This is why it is so important to prioritize flossing when you have braces or an aligner to prevent plaque buildup between our teeth. Often, braces or aligners can lead to more debris in our mouth, so it is our job to remove this from our mouth before it causes other oral health problems. A waterpik is also a great solution for those hard to reach places with flossing.
- Consistency is key. Once you have identified what you want to incorporate into your teeth cleaning routine after getting braces, it is important to keep things consistent. The more you repeat the same movements, the more you will be able to prevent plaque buildup.
Frequently asked questions about cleaning your teeth with braces
- Can my dentist still clean my teeth with braces?
Yes, you can get your teeth cleaned with braces or aligners! While you have to change our routine at home of cleaning our teeth, that does not mean you should no longer have your teeth cleaned by a professional. Keeping up with your regularly scheduled teeth cleaning with your dentist can help you maintain a clean and healthy mouth.
- Is there a specific way I should be brushing my teeth?
It is important while teeth cleaning with braces that you reach every spot possible. Braces and aligners can make it more challenging to reach specific spots of your mouth, so taking even an extra 30 seconds to guarantee that you reach every inch (yes, even through the wires and brackets!) can make a big difference.
- Are there specific braces cleaning tools that I can use?
There are several teeth cleaning products we recommend incorporating into your daily routine, even more so when you are cleaning your teeth with braces:
- Soft toothbrush
- Floss or a water flosser
- Proxabrushes
- Mouthwash
- Cup for rinsing
Consult with your orthodontist about teeth cleaning advice
Oral hygiene tips can take time and dedication to adopt a routine. It can become even more overwhelming researching tips for teeth cleaning. If you have further questions about cleaning your teeth with an Invisalign or with braces, start writing your questions down and address them with your orthodontist.
Still have questions about how to best clean your teeth with braces or an aligner? Our team is happy to help! Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
