Whether you’re an adult or a child, having braces on your teeth can present a variety of issues. One of the most common involves how to properly brush your teeth. Some orthodontic patients may fall into some bad brushing habits, which, if left unchecked, can result in cavities, gum disease, or problems with the braces themselves. To ensure none of these problems occur, we at Playa Vista Orthodontics offer the following tips that will keep your Westchester braces in great shape.
The 45 Degree Angle
To make sure you brush each tooth thoroughly, hold the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle and proceed to move it in little circles back and forth, while using short, gentle strokes. While it may be a bit harder due to the braces, be sure to brush all sides of every tooth and above, below and the sided of all brackets. Make sure to especially focus on the areas between your brackets and your gums. Also, don’t forget to brush your gums, tongue, and roof of your mouth for added dental health.
Brush After Each Meal
At Playa Vista Orthodontics, we feel it is very important to try to brush as soon as possible after eating. Brushing after each meal helps to remove food particles, plaque, sugar and acid from your teeth. This will help prevent cavities, decalcification (white spots) and gum problems, such as gingivitis. It is important to brush in the morning, before bed and after each meal as much as possible.
Toothbrush
It is possible to maintain good oral hygiene with almost any soft-bristled toothbrush as long as you spend adequate time brushing and use proper techniques. We recommend investing in a good electric toothbrush because it helps remove some of the user errors and ensure that you do a good job brushing consistency. We also suggest using a proxabrush, also known as an Interdental toothbrush. The proxabrush is designed to clean underneath and around the braces and wires.
Replace Your Toothbrush Often
It is a good idea to change your toothbrush, or the brush head of your electric toothbrush, every few months, or as soon as the bristles start to show signs of wear and tear. Also remember that if you’ve had a recent cold, change your toothbrush so that any germs that may have been on your old toothbrush won’t make you sick again.
By following these tips, your teeth and your braces will look great and stay in excellent condition.
