How Do I Brush My Teeth With Braces?
The first step is to choose a good toothbrush. You always want to use a soft brush with a small head. A soft brush is hard enough to remove plaque, yet gentle enough not to damage your teeth or gums.
The next issue is to select good toothpaste. In general, any toothpaste that contains Fluoride will do the job, unless you have special needs that are determined by your dentist. Two of the best brands of toothpaste are Colgate Total and Crest Multicare.
The first rule of brushing is to start from a specific location and work your way to the opposite side, continuing all the way through the whole mouth so that you end where you started. This way you won’t miss any areas. Usually, a pea-sized amount of toothpaste is enough. An adequate brushing should take at least 2 minutes and preferably around 4 minutes.
There are a variety of techniques for brushing your teeth, but one of the most popular ones is:
Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle toward the teeth and gums. Gently press against the gums so the tips of the bristles go in between the gum and the teeth. Then apply a few lateral strokes and roll the brush down to sweep the plaque away from the teeth and the gum. Repeat this motion 6 to 10 times and move on to the next area of 2 to 3 teeth. If your mouth is full of foam, spit it out and continue brushing. Your brushing is completed when you have brushed all the surfaces of your teeth, not when your mouth is full! On chewing surfaces, short strokes work best to get the plaque out of the grooves and pits. When brushing the back side of your front teeth, hold your brush vertically to be able to reach the teeth better.
As far as the frequency of brushing is concerned, ideally, you want to brush your teeth after each meal. But if you can’t, brush at least twice a day – after breakfast and before going to bed. If you live in or around Providence, give us a call today to schedule your oral health evaluation exam.
How Do I Floss With Braces?
The surfaces between teeth are not easily accessible by toothbrush; therefore, the best way to clean them is by flossing. The ideal frequency for flossing is like brushing: ideally after each meal, though one time a day (before going to bed) is the minimum necessary.
To start, cut a piece of dental floss. Wrap both sides of the floss around your middle fingers. Using your index and thumb, glide the floss in between all of your teeth one by one. When flossing, make sure you are not cutting your gums. The goal is to clean the teeth surfaces, not the gums. In the space in between the teeth, press the floss against each side of the tooth (hug the tooth) and gently move it back and forth and up and down. Then move to the opposite surface of the adjacent tooth.
If you have any questions about flossing your teeth and you live in Providence or the surrounding area, give us a call today!
What Foods Will I Have To Avoid With Braces?
Don’t worry, you’ll be eating popcorn and snacking on potato chips again in no time! However, before you can start enjoying some of the treats you love, you will need to take special care to avoid any foods that could damage your new braces. At your initial appointment, we’ll review in detail the foods that you will need to avoid and give you any tips on how to prevent food from damaging your brackets. Here are some common foods to avoid while you have braces:
- Chewy foods — bagels, licorice
- Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, ice
- Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing gum
- Hard foods — nuts, hard candies
- Foods that require biting into — corn on the cob, apples, carrots
Should I Continue To See My Dentist While In Braces?
Absolutely! Our orthodontic team works closely with your regular dentist to ensure that you receive the best care possible. It’s important to continue your routine dental cleanings to ensure your teeth are staying healthy during your braces treatment.
