Deciding to get braces is a great idea when undergoing this treatment, which will improve your overall oral health. If you consider undergoing braces treatment solely because you want straighter teeth, understand that straight teeth also support good oral health. In addition, braces offer several dental benefits, which patients can take better advantage of by following standard oral care tips for the treatment process.
Learning how braces work is a great idea when considering this dental treatment. While you probably know that braces straighten your teeth, according to WebMD, braces work by applying continuous pressure over a period of time to slowly move teeth in a specific direction. This process requires you to have brackets placed on your teeth and then have wires placed through the brackets. A dental professional must adjust these wires every so often to slowly move your teeth into their proper positions.
Below is a list of four oral care tips that everyone who wears braces needs to remember.
Brushing teeth after braces have been placed on them requires wearers to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a quality toothpaste that contains fluoride. One great tip for brushing teeth with braces is for wearers to gently brush the teeth from the top down and then gently brush the teeth from the bottom up. After using a regular toothbrush, wearers must use a special dental brush designed to clean between the braces.
Flossing teeth with braces on them can be tricky. One great tip is to place one end of the floss through the space between the main wire and the upper part of the tooth and then perform a gentle back-and-forth motion to floss each side of the tooth. It is very important to use gentle force, as too much force can hurt the teeth and gums and possibly damage the wire.
Using a water flosser is a great tip. Water flossers tend to be gentler on the gums, making them especially beneficial for dental patients with sensitive teeth or gums. In addition, water flossers are able to help remove food particles that dental floss cannot reach. They can also be used to help flush out any bacteria that may exist within the mouth, allowing for a cleaner mouth.
While not all new braces wearers are happy about avoiding eating certain foods while undergoing braces treatment, this is necessary for them to achieve their oral health goals. People who undergo braces treatment should avoid chewy foods like caramels, hard foods like nuts and carrots, and hard-to-bite foods like apples. While they have braces, patients should also avoid chewing gum.
Are the above oral care tips on braces treatment helpful to you? While it is important for you to follow all of the instructions given to you by your dental professional when getting braces, it is also a good idea to understand some of the more beneficial oral care tips that can help you experience a successful braces treatment. If you are in need of more tips, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Request an appointment here: https://www.krbdentistry.com or call KRB Dentistry at (832) 361-3929 for an appointment in our Rosenberg office.
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