Having braces is like having a set of mini traffic directors on your teeth- they make sure that everything stays in its lane. But with braces come special instructions for how to brush your pearly whites, making it seem like there’s an extra step added to our already busy lives.
Cosmetic dentistry, such as in the form of braces, would mean that you have to observe extra caution with your oral care. For instance, you do not just brush normally, as there are some things that would make it different. In the rest of this article, you will know how to brush your teeth with braces, based on the opinions that have been shared by dental experts. This will provide you with the confidence that these insights will indeed prove to be effective.
How to Brush your Teeth with Braces: Easy Steps
- Be ready to brush
Obviously, this is the first step in the process of brushing. You should make sure that you are all set for brushing, which means that you should also remove all the removable parts in your orthodontics if there are any.
- Clean the braces
You should clean the braces first before you proceed with your teeth. Position the toothbrush in a 45-degree angle and make sure to go through the wires and the pins. When brushing, do it from top to bottom, repeatedly. See to it as well that both the lower and upper parts are cleaned and that there are no traces of plaque or debris left.
- Brush your teeth
Once you are done with your braces, the next thing that you should do is to proceed with your teeth. As dentists would recommend, brushing should be done in a span of two minutes while making sure that each quadrant is given attention. Tilt the toothbrush if needed so that it will easily reach even small spaces.
Of course, you should not forget to rinse your mouth after brushing. Make sure as well that you rinse thoroughly so that you will not feel any form of discomfort and to be guaranteed of having an all-around clean.
The Importance of Flossing
It is not enough that you know how to brush your teeth with braces. As you will always be told by dental by dental professionals, you should not also forget about flossing. This will make sure that cleaning is more thorough and that you will be able to go deeper into the spaces that brushing alone would not reach.
In this case, you might need to use a floss threader. The latter is a device that will make it easier for the floss to easily pass through the arch wires. You can also consult with your dentist to know about the interdental cleaners that might work best for you.
When flossing, you should be extra cautious so that you will not be able to hurt the gum line. Flossing can prove to be a tedious task. You simply need to have the patience that is needed to make sure that you observe proper oral hygiene.
Choosing the Right Toothbrush
Even if you are already aware of the right way to brush your teeth, it will not be effective in improving oral health if you do not choose the right toothbrush. The following are some of the guidelines that should be kept in mind to be confident that the right toothbrush will be chosen.
- Bristles
This is one of the most important things that should be given attention as you choose the right toothbrush. Soft and round-tipped bristles are most recommended by dentists because they are gentle and can avoid bleeding of gums. However, with braces, you might want to choose medium bristles so that it will prove to be tougher in cleaning in between the wires.
- Design
Make sure that it is designed in such a way that it is easy to use and that it will provide a high level of effectiveness.
- Electric or Manual
This is a choice that may prove to be hard. Electric toothbrush is recommended for people who find brushing to be a tedious task, but it is not necessarily more effective than the manual counterparts.
READ What is the Best Toothbrush for Braces?
Other Tips
Aside from knowing how to brush and how to choose the right toothbrush, the following are other tips that you should be aware of. This will make it easier for you to deal with your braces while making sure that oral hygiene is never compensated.
Sadly, by having braces, it also means that you cannot eat just anything. You should carefully choose the foods to eat and make sure that are easy to bite. Chewy, crunchy, sticky, and hard to bite foods should be avoided. They can either lead into damaging the braces or making it harder to clean.
- Use mouthguards
The good news is that even if you have braces, you can still play sports. The only thing that you should do is to wear mouth guards to provide protection against possible gum injuries and other problems. This should be done especially if you are playing high contact sports.
- Dealing with soreness
One thing that is often being complained by people who are wearing braces is soreness, especially during the first few days. If you ever experience this, the best thing that can be done is to mix salt with lukewarm water and rinse with it. Make sure that you do not swallow the solution.
- Visit the dentist regularly
After the installation of your braces, you need to have a series of follow-up checkups with your dentist. This will let you know if there is any problem that needs immediate solution. Do not be hesitant to ask the dentist any question that you have, such as how to properly clean your braces.
FAQ
Can I brush normally with braces?
How often should you brush with braces?
What happens if you don't brush your teeth with braces?
Do I have to brush after every meal with braces?
Are braces painful?
Do braces move your teeth everyday?
Do braces change your lips?
Why do braces make your breath smell bad?
Final Thoughts
With braces or no braces, you should find time to brush your teeth the right way in order to make sure of maintaining proper oral hygiene. More than just having the right toothbrush, see to it that you know how it should be used to ensure its effectiveness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBTpwa8QLi4
Best Toothbrushes for Braces Wearers
Braces can transform your smile and improve your oral health, but they can also make brushing your teeth a little more challenging. Fortunately, some toothbrushes are specially designed to address the unique needs of braces wearers. Here are some of the best toothbrushes you can use if you have braces.
First on the list is the interdental brush. This brush is shaped like a pipe cleaner and is designed to clean the spaces between the wire and brackets of your braces. Interdental brushes come in a variety of sizes to fit different mouths and are perfect for removing food particles and plaque that can get stuck in the wires and brackets.
The next toothbrush on our list is an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes are great at removing plaque and debris from your teeth, and many models come with different brush heads that are specifically designed for braces. Electric toothbrushes also make it easier to clean your teeth more thoroughly, even in hard-to-reach places.
Another good option for braces wearers is the orthodontic toothbrush. Orthodontic toothbrushes have a V-cut in the middle of the bristles that makes it easier to clean around the brackets and wires of your braces. They are also softer than regular toothbrushes, which makes them less likely to damage your braces or irritate your gums.
In conclusion, these are just a few of the best toothbrushes for people with braces. No matter which toothbrush you choose, be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day to maintain good oral hygiene while you have braces. Happy brushing!
Best Toothbrushes for Braces Wearers
Braces can transform your smile and improve your oral health, but they can also make brushing your teeth a little more challenging. Fortunately, some toothbrushes are specially designed to address the unique needs of braces wearers. Here are some of the best toothbrushes you can use if you have braces.
First on the list is the interdental brush. This brush is shaped like a pipe cleaner and is designed to clean the spaces between the wire and brackets of your braces. Interdental brushes come in a variety of sizes to fit different mouths and are perfect for removing food particles and plaque that can get stuck in the wires and brackets.
The next toothbrush on our list is an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes are great at removing plaque and debris from your teeth, and many models come with different brush heads that are specifically designed for braces. Electric toothbrushes also make it easier to clean your teeth more thoroughly, even in hard-to-reach places.
Another good option for braces wearers is the orthodontic toothbrush. Orthodontic toothbrushes have a V-cut in the middle of the bristles that makes it easier to clean around the brackets and wires of your braces. They are also softer than regular toothbrushes, which makes them less likely to damage your braces or irritate your gums.
In conclusion, these are just a few of the best toothbrushes for people with braces. No matter which toothbrush you choose, be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day to maintain good oral hygiene while you have braces. Happy brushing!
Common Mistakes to Avoid when Brushing with Braces
When it comes to maintaining oral hygiene while wearing braces, brushing regularly is crucial. However, it’s not as simple as just brushing as you would without braces. There are several common mistakes that people make when brushing with braces that can lead to complications such as cavities or even erosion of enamel. Here are a few things to keep in mind to avoid making these mistakes.
Firstly, don’t forget to spend enough time brushing. It’s important to brush for at least two minutes at a time, and to be thorough. With braces, there are more surfaces that need to be cleaned, so take your time to make sure you’re reaching all of them.
Another mistake to avoid is brushing too hard. It’s easy to assume that the harder you brush, the cleaner your teeth will be, but that’s not the case. Brushing too hard can lead to damage to your gums and enamel, which can cause sensitivity or even cavities over time. Instead, apply gentle pressure and use circular motions to clean your teeth and braces effectively.
Lastly, don’t forget to floss! Flossing can be more challenging with braces, but it’s still necessary to remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth. Consider using floss threaders or interdental brushes to make the process easier.
In summary, by being mindful of these common mistakes, brushing with braces can be a straightforward process. Remember to take your time, be gentle, and don’t forget to floss for optimal oral health. Your braces may be temporary, but good oral hygiene habits will stay with you for life.
Foods to Avoid that May Damage Braces
As anyone who has had braces will tell you, the experience can be painful enough as it is without unwittingly damaging them by eating certain foods. Hard, crunchy, or sticky foods can all wreak havoc on braces, causing unnecessary discomfort and potentially even prolonging the treatment period. To spare you the trouble, here are some of the most important foods to avoid while wearing braces.
Firstly, it is best to avoid hard and crunchy foods altogether, such as popcorn, nuts, chips, and hard candy. Foods like these can easily break or displace brackets and wires, causing unnecessary pain and potentially prolonging the treatment period. Chewy and sticky foods are also a no-go when you are wearing braces. The adhesives in candies like caramels, taffy, and gummy bears can all stick to the brackets and wires, increasing the risk of breakage or damage.
Another group of potentially damaging foods to be wary of includes acidic foods and drinks. Sodas, sports drinks, citrus fruits, and tomato sauce are all culprits that can weaken the enamel of teeth and even dissolve the glue holding the brackets in place. Acidic foods and drinks should therefore be consumed in moderation, and brushing your teeth or rinsing your mouth with water after consuming them can help to eliminate any remaining acid from your mouth.
In summary, it is important to avoid hard, crunchy, and sticky foods while wearing braces, as well as acidic foods and drinks. While it can be tempting to indulge in these foods while undergoing orthodontic treatment, taking the extra step of avoiding them can help minimize discomfort and ensure a speedy and successful treatment period.
I got my braces today and the dentist just gave me the toothbrush. The pressure on the teeth is real..
In my experience, I would suggest eating only soft (but not necessarily gooey) foods for the first couple of days because eating is probably going to hurt. After you get some ‘experience’ eating and properly maintaining your braces (basically cleaning) you can eat pretty much whatever you want, as long as you’re careful. I’ve had no problems with eating sticky foods (e.g. Carmel candies), but these types of foods could give you problems if you’re not careful. Another thing to note is that bread is, in my experience, the food most likely to get stuck between your braces and your teeth.
Make sure you brush your teeth thoroughly, and if you notice food in your braces, take some time to get it out.
Bottom line, eat soft foods for the first week or so, keep your braces clean, and you’ll be eating as normal in a short while.