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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.

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?

Brushing teeth with braces isn’t too different than brushing without braces. … A toothbrush with rounded bristles works well for brushing braces, and fluoride toothpaste is always best, as it helps prevent tooth decay. Your orthodontist may also recommend a fluoride rinse to accompany proper brushing and flossing.

How often should you brush with braces?

Most orthodontists agree that patients should brush their teeth at least after every meal, in order to prevent the buildup of food leftovers in the mouth. These food scraps can lead to bad breath, teeth yellowing and even plaque or more serious oral afflictions.

What happens if you don’t brush your teeth with braces?

Bacteria, food particles, and plaque will accumulate around the little brackets that are glued straight to your teeth. If these are not removed, they may demineralize the enamel around the bracket and form cavities.

Do I have to brush after every meal with braces?

Normally, you can enjoy excellent oral health by brushing twice a day and flossing daily, but with braces, you will need to clean your smile after every meal. However, it’s important to wait 30 minutes after a meal or snack so that your saliva can wash away the acids produced by your food.

Are braces painful?

The honest answer is that braces do not hurt at all when they are applied to the teeth, so there is no reason to be anxious about the placement appointment. There will be mild soreness or discomfort after the orthodontic wire is engaged into the newly placed brackets, which may last for a few days to a week.

Do braces move your teeth everyday?

The short answer to the question of whether braces move your teeth everyday is yes. Nevertheless, due to the speed of teeth shifting, braces must be worn for significant and often, unfavorable lengths of time.

Do braces change your lips?

xYes, braces can change the position of your lips, but only as much as the teeth immediately behind them change. It has nothing to do with braces changing your lips as far as fullness or shape.x

Why do braces make your breath smell bad?

The short answer to the question of whether braces move your teeth everyday is yes. Nevertheless, due to the speed of teeth shifting, braces must be worn for significant and often, unfavorable lengths of time.

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.

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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!