Now that you have braces on, you are going to have to take extra care when cleaning so that your new smile isn’t damaged by plaque and tartar.
At Newwave Orthodontics, we want you to have a beautiful and healthy smile when we remove your braces. If you are not cleaning properly, plaque will build up around the gums and braces. This build-up can cause infection, decay and even discolour your teeth.
Poor hygiene habits can seriously damage your smile
If your gums are bleeding easily, you may have gingivitis. The build-up of plaque can turn sugary substances into acid. Those acids can start to mark your teeth and cause cavities. To avoid this happening to your smile, brush and clean well and stay away from sugary substances as often as possible.
How to brush with braces on
When cleaning with braces on, you want to spend extra time (about 4-5 minutes) brushing your teeth. Spend most of your time cleaning near the gums above the braces. You’ll also need to clean on top of the brackets and wires, underneath the braces, along the chewing surface of the teeth, and on the inside of the teeth as you would normally.
Once your teeth are clean, give your tongue a brush with your toothbrush to clear away any excess debris and freshen up your breath.
Are there other ways to clean teeth with braces?
There are also some other cleaning tools that you can use such as the interproximal brush (Christmas tree brush) or dental floss. We recommend super floss when flossing because it has a stiff end for threading in-between the braces. Be careful not to dislodge your wires when doing so.
What do you do if you get ulcers from braces?
The special wax that Dr Miles will provide for you is a great way to help prevent ulcers. If there are any spots that feel like they are rubbing, secure a small amount of wax to the brace that is causing you discomfort. It is always better to prevent ulcers rather than treat them, so take time to use wax where appropriate and avoid unnecessary pain or infection.
How to take care of braces with Dr Peter Miles at Newwave Orthodontics Caloundra
Dr Peter Miles is a member of the Australian Society of Orthodontics, the American Association of Orthodontics and is certified by the Australian Orthodontic board with over 20 years of experience.
