Everybody knows that braces, or orthodontics, straighten their teeth and improves their smile, but it’s important to understand that good oral hygiene is the key to keeping your teeth and gums healthy and attractive long after your braces come off. In order to keep your teeth plaque-free and avoid the unsightly “white spots” that can develop around your braces, you need to understand how to keep your teeth and orthodontic devices clean. Brushing and flossing with braces requires extra effort but that effort will pay off in the long run.
How should I brush with braces?How your teeth look when your braces come off depends on how you take care of them while they’re on. A power toothbrush that is specially designed to clean around orthodontic appliances can help. Before you get started, remove elastics, bands or removable parts of your orthodontic appliances.
Remember to replace your toothbrush or brush head every 3 months so it continues to clean efficiently.
Although it can be difficult, for healthy teeth and gums, flossing with braces is still very important.
Rinse twice a day, after brushing, to help prevent cavities, strengthen enamel, and freshen breath. Use a fluoride toothpaste without the burn of alcohol.
Braces BackgroundKnowing a bit about how orthodontics work can help you prepare for the braces pain you might experience. Braces place continuous pressure on the teeth to slowly move them into a different position. The key components of braces are:
Braces can correct misaligned teeth to improve your smile and your dental health, but braces pain can make you uncomfortable. The exact cause of braces pain is unknown, but it may be attributed to internal or external factors.
Many products are available to provide relief of braces pain. For pain associated with the pressure of the braces, try over-the-counter pain relieving products. Motrin or Advil can provide relief of braces pain, or you can use topical pain relieving products. Ask your dentist for recommendations if your braces pain persists. In addition, toothpaste, mouth rinse, and dental floss designed for sensitive teeth can help relieve tooth pain. (1), (2)
Other Strategies to Help Relieve Braces PainTry these additional tips to relieve braces pain:
If you play contact sports while wearing orthodontics, be sure to use a mouth guard. Being hit or falling during sports can cause brackets to break or wires to come loose, which causes braces pain and adds to the expense of orthodontic care. (2)
Benefits of BracesBraces pain can be uncomfortable, but wearing braces to improve your bite can help to eliminate other types of mouth and tooth pain caused by misaligned teeth. Other benefits of braces include:
Try these products if you have braces: