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Writer's pictureDr. Mark Feinberg

THE IMPORTANCE OF ORAL HYGIENE WHILE IN ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT


When wearing braces for kids or adults, how you care for your teeth can have consequences that continue well past the day you get your braces off. So while proper dental care with orthodontics can take a little extra effort and time, it is more than worth it. Being sure to take the best possible care of your teeth can sometimes be a challenge, but it is about a lot more than just visiting your orthodontist regularly and making sure your teeth look nice. Proper oral hygiene is as crucial to overall health as exercise and eating well.


Brushing The most important thing you can do for your teeth while you are in braces is to regularly brush them. Ideally, you should brush your teeth after every meal. If you do not brush your teeth at least a couple of times each day, plaque gets built up in all the tiny spaces made by the brackets and wires of your orthodontics. Plaque, which is composed of tons of bacteria, could cause problems such as cavities, gingivitis, and permanent stains.


Flossing Flossing is also crucial in the care of your teeth. Flossing will remove any plaque that may have been missed while brushing, and also allows you to provide your gums with stimulation. While getting floss around your brackets can be a bit more challenging, there are many tools you can use that make it easier, such as floss threaders.


Mouth Rinse While using mouthwash with braces is no more difficult than without braces, it is a crucial part of the process. Any stubborn plaque that has hung on after brushing and flossing will be attacked by the mouthwash. Rinsing helps give you fresher breath, and can even work to get rid of tiny food particles even if you do not have a chance to brush. Rinsing also helps your chances of preventing gum disease, or gingivitis.



Contact Us To learn more about proper oral hygiene and orthodontics, call us today at 203-513-2014.

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