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When you get your teeth straightened with braces, you set yourself up for cleaner teeth and better oral health down the road. Having straight teeth will help prevent food from getting trapped and will fix bite problems that lead to tooth wear. However, having braces can make you more susceptible to tooth decay and tooth sensitivity. On top of your daily teeth-cleaning routine, it’s helpful to use special products that can make cleaning your teeth easier while you work toward a healthier smile.
Floss Threader
One of the most noticeable issues you’ll run into right away if you have braces is that flossing will be quite tricky. Since the archwire runs across each tooth between each bracket, it blocks your access to the points where you need to floss if you try the normal way. When you have braces, you will need to thread the floss under the archwire in to reach in between your teeth.
One device that can make this process easier is a floss threader. It’s a simple plastic piece with a hole at the end where you tie the string of floss. Rather than having to try to get the soft end of the floss through first, the sturdy floss threader allows you to work with more precision and speed. It’s still going to be trickier than the flossing routine you’re used to, but you will quickly pick it up and be flossing like a pro!
Water Flosser
This device is helpful if you have either traditional braces or Invisalign. When you have Invisalign, you aren’t as liable to get food stuck in your teeth during treatment, but you will have to wear plastic aligners over your teeth that prevent water or saliva from rinsing off your teeth. This means any food particles left on your teeth will be stuck there until you take your aligners off.
Brushing and flossing regularly will help you avoid having food particles get stuck on your teeth, but you can also add the use of a water flosser to make sure your teeth are extra clean. This device uses a concentrated stream of pressurized water to spray off food particles in between your teeth and along your gums. If you use a water flosser, make sure to keep flossing with regular floss as well.
Orthodontic Toothbrush
Typical toothbrushes can be a bit abrasive for braces. While it’s important to clean your braces and teeth thoroughly while you have braces, it’s important not to damage your brackets or wires in the process. Orthodontic toothbrushes come in a variety of forms, including convenient electronic versions. Instead of a typical toothbrush head, these toothbrushes have V-trimmed bristles that make room for the brackets. Of course, if you have Invisalign you will be able to stick to a more conventionally shaped soft-bristled toothbrush.
To learn more about cleaning your teeth with braces and to find out which type of orthodontic treatment could be right for you, schedule your free initial appointment at Charleston Orthodontic Specialists today!
