The Top 7 Ways To Keep Your Braces Clean During Orthodontic Treatment

Braces are a great way to straighten your teeth and improve your smile, but there are definitely a few changes you’ll have to make to your oral care routine in order to keep them clean and maintain your oral health. In this blog from Kingstowne Dental Specialists, we’ll take a quick look at 7 simple tips you can follow to keep your braces and teeth clean during your treatment.

1. Brush Each Tooth & Bracket Individually

You need to spend at least 2 minutes brushing your teeth, and most people with braces brush for longer than this. You need to thoroughly brush the front, top, and back surfaces of each tooth, and pay special attention to the brackets. 

Brush thoroughly around the brackets to dislodge food particles and other debris. Don’t forget to brush the wires and spaces between your braces, too. 

2. Maintain The Right Brushing Angle

You should hold your brush at a 45° angle when brushing your teeth and gums. This helps the bristles get between your gums and teeth, and also lets them get a better angle when cleaning your brackets. 

3. Brush After Every Meal

We recommend that you brush after every meal when wearing braces, especially after breakfast and once after dinner or your last meal of the day. 

You can keep a travel toothbrush and toothpaste close-at-hand to make this easier when you’re at work or out to lunch. If you can’t brush after lunch or a snack, you should at least rinse with mouthwash or water. 

4. Floss Daily And Use Interproximal Brushes For Hard-To-Reach Areas

You should make sure you continue to floss once per day. Flossing is more difficult with braces, but it’s still possible and it’s still important, so maintain a good flossing routine.

You can also use an interproximal brush to clean hard-to-reach areas of your teeth. Interproximal brushes are small, cone-shaped brushes that can be used to clean between your brackets and wires and in other small gaps between your teeth and your braces. 

5. Use Mouthwash To Rinse Your Mouth

Rinsing with mouthwash helps clean your braces and teeth, kills bacteria, and freshens your breath. You can use mouthwash at any time, but it’s particularly effective after flossing, since it can rinse away the debris loosened by flossing. 

6. Eat Braces-Safe Foods

Follow Dr. Bob’s instructions and avoid foods like gummy candies, taffy, popcorn, chips, gum, caramel, nuts, and other foods that can get stuck on your braces and teeth or that may damage your braces.

7. Get Routine Teeth Cleanings

You should continue getting routine six-month dental cleanings while you have braces. Your dental hygienist can check your oral health and remove plaque and tartar buildup to keep your teeth bright, and your dentist will check for signs of gum disease and cavities to give you a clean bill of health.

Interested In Orthodontic Treatment In Alexandria? Contact Us For A Consultation

At Kingstowne Dental Specialists, Dr. Bob provides expert orthodontic treatment for patients of all ages, with options like traditional braces, Invisalign, and more. If you’d like to get a straighter smile in Alexandria, our team is here to help. Contact us online or give us a call at (703) 493-0622 to schedule an appointment and take the first steps toward a healthier smile.

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