Tips for Brushing Your Teeth With Braces
Your smile is one of your most important features. Unfortunately, there are certain conditions that may cause you to not want to show your smile at all. For instance, if you have crooked teeth, you may feel so self-conscious that you end up hiding your smile. The good thing is this can be corrected with braces and good oral hygiene. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, Today, some four million Americans are wearing braces. Are you curious about how to brush your teeth with braces? Here are some tips for you.
Gather the Right Tools
When you have braces, brushing your teeth can be made easier by making sure that you have everything that you need at your disposal. To brush your teeth effectively with braces on, you will need a cup, a toothbrush, nonabrasive toothpaste, a Proxabrush, a mirror, and a mouthwash. This will go a long way in ensuring that you can adjust well to the additional cleaning requirements that come with having braces. Apart from that, you must also research the angles to use when brushing.
Take Your Time
One of the things you must always keep in mind when you have braces on is that brushing will be a bit different. As such, you need to slow down a bit. It’s crucial that you take your time to brush every available surface of your teeth. According to Oral-B, you should set aside at least two minutes to brush your teeth thoroughly when you have braces. If you can’t reach some of the surfaces, try using a Proxabrush when you are done using the regular brush. These are smaller and narrower and they can help you get to the hard-to-reach places.
Remember to Floss
Flossing is very important if you have braces on. However, it can be pretty tough if you have braces on. If you prefer using a string floss, the best way to go about it with braces on would be to use a floss threader. That will make it easier to maneuver the floss around your braces. Whenever you floss, remember to be gentle as you move the string against your gums and teeth. You can also switch to a water flosser so you can easily get the tight spots in between your teeth and braces.
Brushing your teeth is very important even if you have braces on. This will ensure that you don’t end up with more problems at the end of your braces treatment. Are you worried about your dental hygiene and braces? For more information or for the answers to any questions you may have, contact Smiley Face Braces today!