The Importance Of Oral Hygiene
Your oral hygiene is important for ensuring the health of your teeth and gums, as well as the rest of your body. For example, the bacteria responsible for periodontal diseases can also get into the bloodstream and cause plaque buildup. This is incredibly dangerous since it can lead to blockages in the bloodstream, heart problems, and even cardiovascular disease.
Maintaining regular appointments with your dentist, brushing at least twice a day, and flossing can ensure your teeth remain clean and free of bad bacteria and plaque buildup.
Having healthy teeth is also important if you’re looking to start orthodontic treatment. Your dentist can ensure your mouth is free of cavities and that your teeth and gums are strong enough to go through treatment. Even during treatment, you must take extra precautions to ensure you get in all the crevices. If you were to get an infection during orthodontic treatment, Dr. Smith would have no choice but to stop treatment until the infection cleared. This would be bad for your health and put you behind in your treatment plan.
Always be sure you are taking proper care of your teeth and bring any concerns to your dentist or orthodontist.
Tips For Brushing & Flossing With Braces
When brushing and flossing with braces, you can use either an electronic or regular toothbrush; both will be effective. Also, be sure to use a fluoride toothpaste. It’s great for fighting off cavities and plaque build-up and will be the best option for braces. Avoid whitening toothpaste because it will leave awkward spots underneath the brackets where the toothpaste cannot reach.
Ensure you are brushing all surfaces of your teeth, front, back, and top, moving the toothbrush in circular motions. You may need to utilize an interdental brush for those tight spots along your brackets and the archwire.
For flossing, remove a long thread and wrap it around your fingers. You will have to thread it through the archwire and your teeth to ensure you can reach all the way to the gums.
After that, you may use a fluoride mouthwash for extra protection against bacteria and fresher breath; however, this is not required.