But while orthodontic treatment helps align your teeth, maintaining good oral hygiene during this process is equally important. It ensures that when your braces come off or your aligners are no longer needed, you’re left with not just straight teeth, but a healthy and vibrant smile.
Here are some orthodontist in Southend-On-Sea approved tips for maintaining a healthy smile during treatment.
1. Brush After Every Meal
Orthodontic appliances, especially traditional braces, create extra spaces where food particles and plaque can get trapped. To avoid decay and discoloration, it’s crucial to brush your teeth after every meal.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to thoroughly clean all surfaces of your teeth. Angle your brush at 45 degrees to reach around the brackets and wires, ensuring no food debris is left behind. For Invisalign users, removing your aligners before eating and brushing both your teeth and the aligners is key to maintaining oral hygiene.
2. Floss Daily – Even with Braces
Flossing can be more challenging with braces, but it’s still a non-negotiable part of a healthy routine. Flossing removes food and plaque between your teeth, where your toothbrush can’t reach. If you have braces, consider using a floss threader or orthodontic floss designed to navigate around brackets and wires.
Water flossers are also a great alternative. They use a stream of water to clean between teeth and around braces, making the process quicker and easier while still effectively removing debris and bacteria.
3. Use Interdental Brushes
Interdental brushes, sometimes called proxy brushes, are small, bristled tools designed to clean between teeth and around orthodontic hardware. They’re particularly useful for cleaning the areas that are hard to reach with a regular toothbrush, especially around braces or fixed retainers.
These brushes help reduce the risk of gum disease, cavities, and unsightly plaque buildup, all of which can become bigger issues during orthodontic treatment.
4. Rinse with Mouthwash
Adding an antimicrobial or fluoride mouthwash to your daily routine can further protect your teeth and gums during treatment. A fluoride rinse can strengthen your enamel, making it more resistant to cavities and decay. An antimicrobial mouthwash, on the other hand, reduces bacteria and prevents gingivitis, keeping your gums healthy.
Be sure to choose a mouthwash that fits your specific needs, and if you’re unsure, ask your orthodontist for recommendations.
5. Avoid Sticky, Chewy, and Hard Foods
What you eat during orthodontic treatment has a direct impact on your oral health and the success of your treatment. Sticky, chewy, and hard foods can get stuck in your braces or damage the wires and brackets, prolonging your treatment time. Some foods to avoid include:
- Sticky foods: Gum, caramel, taffy
- Chewy foods: Bagels, licorice
- Hard foods: Nuts, popcorn, ice, hard candy
For Invisalign users, while you don’t have to worry about damaging braces, you still need to be mindful of your diet. Remember to remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water to prevent staining and damage.
6. Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help wash away food particles and bacteria that can lead to plaque buildup, gum disease, or tooth decay. Water also helps neutralize acids in the mouth that can erode tooth enamel. Staying hydrated promotes saliva production, which plays a critical role in protecting your teeth from harmful bacteria.
If you consume sugary or acidic drinks like soda or juice, always brush your teeth afterward to prevent enamel damage. For Invisalign users, remember to remove your aligners before consuming anything other than water.
7. Attend Regular Orthodontic and Dental Checkups
Orthodontic checkups are essential for ensuring that your treatment stays on track. Your orthodontist will adjust your braces or provide new aligners to ensure your teeth are moving as planned. These appointments also give your orthodontist a chance to catch any potential issues, such as broken brackets or wires, before they become more significant problems.
In addition to orthodontic visits, continue seeing your general dentist every six months for professional cleanings and exams. Your dentist will remove plaque and tartar that may have built up around your orthodontic appliances and check for any signs of decay or gum disease.
8. Wear Your Retainer After Treatment
Once your orthodontic treatment is complete, your orthodontist will likely provide a retainer to help maintain your new smile. Teeth can shift back into their original positions over time, so wearing your retainer as directed is essential to keeping your teeth aligned and your smile straight for years to come.
Invisalign patients may also receive a custom retainer after treatment to ensure their teeth remain in place.
9. Be Patient and Consistent
Orthodontic treatment takes time, and maintaining excellent oral hygiene during the process can feel like extra work. However, being consistent with your care will prevent complications like cavities, staining, and gum disease. It’s worth the effort to ensure that when your braces are removed or your aligners are no longer needed, you’ll reveal not just a straight smile, but a healthy one too.
Conclusion
Maintaining a healthy smile during orthodontic treatment requires dedication to oral hygiene and making smart choices about your diet and habits. By following these orthodontist-approved tips, you can ensure your treatment progresses smoothly and you avoid complications like cavities, staining, or gum issues. Whether you’re wearing braces or aligners, staying proactive about your oral care will leave you with a beautiful, healthy smile when your treatment is complete.
