Caring for Braces
With help from Epic Dental‘s dedicated orthodontics team, your braces will result in straightened teeth and an improved smile. While your braces do the work, however, it’s up to you how easy you make the job for them. Not brushing your teeth and gums, having damaged equipment, and not using your rubber bands properly can decrease the effectiveness of your braces and lengthen your treatment. That’s why we stress the importance of following all instructions provided by our orthodontists. If you do, it will ensure that your treatment is done as quickly and as smoothly as possible so you have your new smile sooner!
Brushing your teeth
With braces, it’s very important to brush and floss in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout your treatment. We recommend using an electric toothbrush for brushing with braces. Electric toothbrushes can fall into two categories: mechanical and ultrasonic. Both types have been found to be equally effective and provide a significant advantage over brushing with a normal toothbrush. Our orthodontists can tell you which option would work best for you.
We suggest brushing your teeth and gums at least three times a day and after any snacks. Brush for at least two minutes each time to effectively clean your teeth and gums. We’ll provide you with a timer to help you brush for the same duration each time, and some electric toothbrushes come with a timer that can go off every 30 seconds. Don’t forget to brush all parts of your mouth, including the roof of your mouth and tongue before you rinse.
Because you will need to brush more often with braces, your toothbrush will wear down quicker. Therefore, you’ll have to replace it more frequently. You should replace the heads on your electric toothbrush when the bristles become worn down or frayed, and our office carries replacement electric toothbrush heads for you to purchase.
To clean around and underneath your wires and brackets, you should use an interdental toothbrush. If you need a new one, feel free to ask our orthodontic team.
Flossing your teeth
It is also very important to floss while you have your braces. This will help keep your gums healthy and clean as well. For areas between the teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach, use dental floss to remove food particles and plaque. Traditional flossing takes more time and patience when you are wearing braces and requires a floss threader. We recommend using Platypus Orthodontic Flossers™ to make flossing easier with braces.
If you have any questions about caring for your braces, or wish to make an appointment with an Epic Dental orthodontist, please contact us at our dental office. We proudly serve Norwood, Walpole, and surrounding areas.
